This gutsy girl has turned a role model overnight. Her marriage was almost fixed, but when the groom’s family failed to show some leniency in settling the dowry, Sri Kala (25) dumped the alliance at the eleventh hour and took her groom to the court on the wedding day.
But she did not have to sit in despair for too long. A youth from her own family turned up to marry her without dowry and their marriage was solemnized on Sunday. State Excise Minister P.K. Gurudasan and other dignitaries were present at the wedding to bless the couple.
Her courage has paid off and she is getting praises from all quarters. State Women Commission chairperson Justice B. Sridevi has called on her and promised all help. Now the commission is planning to make her the poster girl of its anti-dowry campaign.
“Despite stringent laws this social evil is going unchecked. I was really moved by her courage. In fact she made the state proud. If there is a will there is a way -- she has shown us,” the minister said after blessing the couple.
Sri Kala was supposed to tie the knot on last Sunday. However, when the groom’s family insisted on settling the balance amount of dowry immediately, things took an ugly turn. The bride’s father begged for two week’s time to settle the balance of Rs 25,000. But the groom’s family refused to compromise and threatened to pull out of the alliance.
{{/usCountry}}Sri Kala was supposed to tie the knot on last Sunday. However, when the groom’s family insisted on settling the balance amount of dowry immediately, things took an ugly turn. The bride’s father begged for two week’s time to settle the balance of Rs 25,000. But the groom’s family refused to compromise and threatened to pull out of the alliance.
{{/usCountry}}The dowry was settled at Rs 1 lakh and 20 sovereigns of gold. “They insulted my father badly. But when I took them to the police they pleaded for a quick settlement. But I said a firm no to this marriage of convenience. These people are a curse to our society. Girls should stand up and tell them that nobody can fix a price on them,” a relieved Sri Kala said.
Her husband Kannan is a goldsmith by profession. Now many voluntary organisations have come forward to help the newly-married couple.