The Hindu : Unity in diversity

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003

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Other States - Madhya Pradesh

Unity in diversity

Gwalior June 9. They came by every imaginable mode of transport, truck, tractors, scooters and even cycles to find their soul-mate in one of the largest mass marriage ceremonies in Madhya Pradesh and there were as many as 71 couples. And the ``baraat" (marriage procession) was as long as three kilometres.

Men from every corner of the State and even from far-flung areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan came to the town to participate in the ceremony on Sunday. The Gwalior-Jhansi National Highway was closed for traffic for more than an hour.

A pandit was chanting mantras for Hindu couples, a maulvi reciting couplets from the Quran for Muslims and a giani was tying nuptial knots for Sikhs on one platform, reflecting a classic example of unity in diversity.

For the brides and grooms this provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in such a gathering where they were the hosts as well as the guests.

Twentysix-year-old, Ashgar Shah, of Bagwai village, who, however, felt daunted by the huge gathering and searing temperature, said, ``Though I still do not know the name of my would-be bride and what her qualifications are, I'm happy that I'm not the sole one to face this dilemma.''

His better half, Shamina, confessed that she had never seen her husband but only knew that he was a tractor-driver. The ceremony was organised for the third year in a row by an NGO, Giani Ram, Social Welfare Society.

``This year 71 couples, including 56 Hindus, 14 Muslims and one Sikh tied the nuptial knot,'' the society convener, Raghu Kewat, said. — UNI

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