Kendrapara: A youth in Odisha defined the concept of an ‘ideal marriage’ when he received some saplings as “dowry” from his bride’s family.
There was neither DJ, dance, song and fireworks nor the decorated vehicle or horse during the marriage procession. Even, the groom did not demand anything from the bride’s family as the dowry, but walked for 2.5 km to the wedding venue.
The marriage that set an example against the evil social system of dowry took place at Balabhadrapur, a village in Kendrapara district. The groom was identified as Saroj Biswal, a science teacher at Chaudakulat High School.
He married to Rashmi Rekha, the youngest daughter of Maheswar Paital, a resident of Adampur village on July 23 without spending money on marriage procession. The bride is a Sanskrit teacher posted at Nischintakoili High School in Cuttack district.
“The wedding will give a clear message to the society that is degrading and filled in evils like dowry and unnecessary expenses in name of marriage,” said Saroj’s uncle Sudarshan Biswal.
“I am happy that my daughter married such a person, who directly denied to take dowry,” said bride’s father Maheswar Paital.
Biswal in groom attire took a round of the entire village along with his relatives and friends and walked to the bride’s home. The groom’s family demanded 1,500 saplings of fruit bearing trees as dowry and distributed two saplings to each house at the bride’s village to make the wedding memorable.
The groom’s reception took place June 24 tonight at his village where the invited guests were presented saplings as gift from their side.
In the invitation card, the groom’s family mentioned that there would be no use of plastic items during the reception. Only, the items made of papers will be used during the function.
(Source: odishasuntimes.com)