Now, retired UP teacher dons 'doosri Meera' role

Sixty-one-year-old Kailash Nath Tripathi, who recently retired as a teacher, has started wearing “saree” and sports “sindoor” (vermillion), besides putting on bangles and ornaments, much to the angst and shock of his family members.
Like Meera, Tripathi also sings “bhajans” throughout the day and says he is also ready to consume poison (Meera had, according to the Hindu mythology, consumed poison given to her by her husband) to prove “her” devotion to Lord Krishna.
“Although I wanted to turn Meera almost a decade ago, worldly affections delayed my plans,” he says.
The shocked family members tried their best to persuade Tripathi to live like a normal human being, but to no avail. Tripathi’s sons also reportedly bashed him up to bring him back to his senses, but it also proved futile.
Apparently saddened by the family’s attitude, Tripathi decided to leave his home and embarked upon a tour riding a two wheeler to spread the message of Lord Krishna. “I have no complaints against my family...they thought the reputation of the family will be ruined if I live like a woman, and so they beat me up,” Tripathi said.
“I have told my sons they can call me whenever they want to beat me again.... it will help reduce whatever affection I have for them and help me in my mission,” he added.
Riding his red scooter, Tripathi has been delivering sermons on his way to different parts of the state.
On whether he knows he has become an object of ridicule, Tripathi says: “Those who laugh at me should not be blamed. After all they know very little about the world.”