I would like to unveil a thought which was there in my mind for a long time, on this Independence Day.
It is regarding the Indian weddings. A minute of thinking can enlighten you on the money, even an average Indian middle class family, spends on a wedding. Right from consulting as many number of astrologers in town as possible (just to confuse us more) to expensive invitation cards (which anyways goes to the thrash once the date is noted on the calendar) to huge wedding halls (just to increase the electrical power requirement) to professional cameramen to video shoot the entire ceremony (to see and re-see the same events and get bored some day) to sumptuous food (which cannot be eaten by most) and the list goes on. All these expenses just for a matter of five to six hours. And mind me, this may cost a family a lakh or even more, on a minimal lower estimate. Also do not forget the fact that I have not included the major expense of the present day wedding - the Gold! The Gold Rush! Isn't this a bit too much?
Just because the wedding is a once in a lifetime affair, is so much spending really needed? Can spending so much on an event even be justified? I could not understand why people are not just ready to shed their prejudice and go ahead with a simple ceremony, which a wedding is actually supposed to be.
Why can't we, the youth, take a firm decision that our weddings and the weddings of our close relatives and friends shall be conducted in a very simple manner?
I have a definition to this 'simple' wedding I say. Many may reject my view, many may find it preposterous. I am not forcing anyone to adopt this either. But I am sure, my wedding will be in this manner.
Why can't a wedding ceremony be conducted in a temple or a mosque or a church, in presence of just the bride, the bridegroom and both their parents. After the ring or the 'maala' exchange let them go back home, have a good home made lunch and spend the time for themselves. Some day later, let them go to each and every relatives' houses with a box of sweets and spend some time with all of them. This would be a herculean task, but it has its own advantages. This will help the bride or bridegroom understand the family better rather than shaking hands with all the people coming on the stage, one after the other, just for a minute, then another minute to pose themselves to be be photographed. How silly this is! This system is being followed because it really favours the status-quo - this materialistic world, where each minute is worth some Rupees. Just for the sake of it we have all our relatives and friends on the stage on a day and get a photograph clicked (as if for a proof of attendance).
If a wedding is a once in a lifetime affair and we value it so much, then why do people hesitate to spend some days for it, rather than just some hours?
This can save huge burden, energy and money and the saved money can be used for charity (if one chooses to). The money we spend in a wedding, if received by a poor family, would be enough to carry out all their expenses for a quarter year or even more. This will include their expenses from food to dress to children's education to travel and what not. Think it over friends, it is we, the youth alone, who can change this system.
We have the energy within us, the will is all what we need.
Jai Hind!
