As many as 101 couples “from economically weaker sections of the society” tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony held in Noida on Saturday.
The event was organised by Bharat Vikas Parishad, a socio-cultural voluntary organisation.
Parishad member T.N. Chaurasia said, “The couples were given televisions, sewing machines, cycles, utensils, beds and other household items each needed to start a new married life.”
The mehendi rituals were performed on Friday night at the Sector 19 community centre.
District Magistrate Deepak Aggarwal, MLA Sativir Gujjar, MP Surindera Singh Nagar, social worker Dr Mahesh Sharma and other diginatries from Noida were present on the occasion.
“I had not thought of such a grand marriage,” said Anita, one of the brides who got married on Saturday.
“I had never even thought of getting beauticians to help me get ready for the wedding because they would be beyond our means. But when my make up and hairdo were complete and I looked in the mirror, I could not believe it was me. I was thrilled with joy.”
Rajinder, one of the bridegrooms said, “I felt on top of the world when I was asked to board a horse chariot. I am so poor I cannot even think of hiring a band party. Had I not been selected for the mass marriage, I would have married a girl in a temple in the presence of a few relatives.”
{{/usCountry}}Rajinder, one of the bridegrooms said, “I felt on top of the world when I was asked to board a horse chariot. I am so poor I cannot even think of hiring a band party. Had I not been selected for the mass marriage, I would have married a girl in a temple in the presence of a few relatives.”
{{/usCountry}}Twenty-five members from each couple’s family who were invited to the function were provided accommodation at Aggarwal Dharamshala in Sector 33.
The families of the brides were given rooms on the ground floor while families of the grooms stayed in rooms on the first floor.
The bride’s family members had selected the bridegrooms.