Woman cop gives a Valentine's Day gift to Dalit girl in Bihar!
Benipatti SDPO Nirmala Kumari plays a good Samaritan to solemnise the marriage of a poor girl who lost her father in a road accident some months back.
Valentine's Day is all about love and to share.
Ruby (19), a poor girl, who lost her father in a road mishap, received the gift of a lifetime on Valentine’s Day, when she was given away in marriage by Benipatti subdivisional police officer (SDPO) Nirmala Kumari , who also performed the kanyadaan on Tuesday.
The cop even took up all responsibility of the marriage, arranging a place, pundit, food and reception for the bride, who hails from a Dalit community.
“The honour of performing kanyadaan was mine because traditionally the bride's father plays that part. I was the bride's guardian in this case and was happy to take up the responsibility," said Nirmala while talking to HT. The invitation card sent out on the occasion mentioned her name as the guardian and host.
The cop, however, credited the socially conscious people and local businessmen, who contributed in their own way for the exemplary social cause.
The entire wedding ceremony was hosted at Kisan Bhawan, adjacent to the SDPO's quarter.
From what the police officer told this reporter, the script of the unique wedding ceremony was written when Ruby's mother approached the SDPO for help, a few months back. She pleaded with the cop that her husband, the only bread earner in the family of five, had died in a road accident 7-8 months ago.
"The widow, a Dalit, had three children, with Ruby being the eldest. I assured her of help in getting Ruby married only if she could find a groom. On February 7, the widow told Nirmala that she had zeroed in on a boy, Ram Vivek, a plumber and son of a tea stall owner from Madhwapur village, also in Madhubani district.
That is when Nirmala took control of the wedding, personally ensuring that everything went smoothly. Meeting expenses was not much of a constraint.
She personally requested the jewellers’ community to make catering arrangements for at least 40 baraatis (marriage party). The cop said that she immediately sent a messenger to the groom's place and enquired about their needs, including vehicle to bring the dulha (groom). A local Maithili artiste, besides a musical team from Begusarai were roped in to entertain guests. Likewise, floral decoration, mehndi and makeup artists, bridal attire, mangal sutra and rings were also arranged. Everything was done with contribution and cooperation of people concerned.
Of course being a host, the SDPO ensured certain things were done her way - right from settling the venue, date as well as fixing menu for the wedding feast. The vegetarian dishes, especially prepared for the occasion included- gulab jamun, gajar ka halwa, methi puri, matar paneer, aloo gobhi, pulao, dal fry, etc.
Even when the bride's family did not contribute financially to the reception, a poor girls marriage was solemnized with enthusiasm. The SDPO, clad in saree sprang a surprise when she grabbed the mike and sang a popular Bollywood song. An emotional bride, Ruby said Nirmala didi has set an example for the society.
"I could never have dreamt of such a marriage after my father died in a road accident," she said.
