Koraput: In an era where scientists are propelling themselves into space, it’s jarring to acknowledge that superstition still casts a long shadow over our society. The persistence of blind faith and age-old myths is a stark reminder that progress and modernity have not been able to penetrate every corner of our lives.
A recent incident in the Koraput district is a case in point. Two young men from Patraguda village, which is just 10 kilometres away from the Koraput District Headquarters, were declared dead by their community after they reportedly witnessed two crows mating.
Yes, you read that right. The sighting of these birds engaging in a natural act, according to local tribal beliefs, is an ominous sign foretelling death. The communities, convinced of the impending doom, promptly began post-death rites, announcing the youths as ‘dead while alive’ in a desperate bid to ward off death itself.
In a striking display of superstition, the two young men were treated as if they were dead. They were laid out on bamboo stretchers, surrounded by relatives who wailed in grief. Funeral-like ceremonies were performed, complete with purification rites. But in a dramatic turn, the rituals were reversed, and the youths were brought back home, their ‘life’ restored.
This bizarre episode, captured on camera and now viral on social media, has raised important questions about the deep-seated superstitions that still prevail in many parts of our country.
