SOCIETY

30 couples tie knot at a mass marriage in Varanasi

     Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh): At least 30 couples, who belong to poor families, tied the knot together at a mass ceremony in Varanasi. Brides and grooms from various castes and communities took the wedding vows at the ceremony organised by a New Delhi-based voluntary organisation. The group had organised the marriage free of cost and also gifted household and other essential items for the couple to start their married life. "Our main condition was that the couples should be poor who are not able to afford a marriage. We had not kept any restrictions on caste, creed or religion. Our only contention was that the couples should be poor so that we are able to help the girls settle down in life," an organiser, Satya Narayan Prakash Punj said. The organisers had advertised in local dailies as well as put banners asking poor families to register for the mass marriage ceremony. They had also verified the background of the applications before giving their nod to 30 couples. In Indian society the bride's parents usually pay off huge amounts of money as dowry to the bridegroom in acceptance of marriage, which is driving many needful and concerned families to opt for simple and affordable ceremonies. "My parents are very poor and cannot afford a dowry," said Sonal, a bride. Group marriages are becoming very popular, especially among the economically backward sections, as it eases a huge financial burden. The family of a bride is expected to bear the expenses of a lavish wedding and give 'dowry' or handsome gifts in cash or kind, to their daughter. Several organisations are now campaigning against high-cost marriages and social menace like dowry due to which many marriages are stalled. Besides, the concept of mass marriage is gaining popularity amongst the economically backward as it eases the financial burden.
-Feb 22, 2006

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