Marriage Surpasses all Caste, Creed, Cultural and Geographical Barriers. All it Requires is 2 People that Never Give Up on One Another. Let’s Come Together to Show our Support For Inter State Marriages….
For years, Gujarat strived hard to mend its skewed sex ratio: 883 girls per 1,000 boys (according to the census of 2001). The Census of 2011 showed only marginal improvement over a decade—890 girls per 1,000 boys. Despite gender awareness programs and government’s attempt to thwart female feticide, acute shortage of females was a persistent issue for families seeking potential brides for their sons. With changing times, people became flexible to the idea of inter-caste marriages. This paved way for inter-state marriages, as well.
This Tuesday (that is April 11), we saw a unique confluence of west and east India in an interstate marriage ceremony organized at Ahmedabad (Gujarat). In this ostentatious community marriage function, 23 patidar boys from Gujarat got married to beautiful brides from Odhisha.
Things went smooth for the couples as well as families. People were thrilled to witness a spectacular amalgam of cultural ideas—Gujarati ‘Dal Bhat’ and Oriya ‘Dalma’. Folks clicked photographs in their regional outfits and discussed recipes with one another.
This colorful, one-of-a-kind function was organized by ABKKM (Akhil Bharatiya Kurmi Kshatriya Mahasabha). But that’s not all! Threes similar functions were arranged under the aegis of ABKKM in last four years. 76 young girls from Odisha tied the knot with ‘Gujju’ Patel youths at diamond city ‘Surat’.
Organizers find it a pleasant arrangement for both the bride and the groom. The ‘Kurmi’ girls in Odhisa remain unmarried due to poverty. Their parents can’t raise heavy sums to get their daughters married to decent men. Likewise, the Patidar community in Gujarat faces shortage of prospective brides. Bride hunt was a daunting task for them. However, interstate matrimony has opened up newer possibilities for youth. Communities enroll young men for matrimonial meet by which, they can meet their prospective brides in other states.
Earlier, the youth relied on marriage agencies and middlemen for finding brides. They often charged heavy prices, making them an expensive deal for middle and lower classes. Therefore, the ABKKM took the initiative to arrange interstate marriages in Gujarat.
Needless to say, they’ve set a fine example for other communities, as well!
