Daijiworld News Network - Bantwal (GA)

Bantwal, Jan 8: The undivided district of Dakshina Kannada has been witnessing communal riots frequently these days.  Fanaticism has overpowered all other virtues of religion.  But the fact is that only a small section of each religion is involved in causing problems and bent on dividing the society on the basis of religion.

In these times of differences any small act towards building confidence among various communities is commendable.  One such act which would perhaps remain in the minds and hearts of people for long is the unique mass marriage which was held here on Sunday January 7.  In a great gesture of communal harmony, couples from three different communities entered wedlock under one roof.

In a mass marriage organized by Catholic Sabhba, Bantwal and local Lions Club 2 Hindu, 2 Muslim and 1 Christian couples entered wedlock.  Vishwantah and Mohini of Manchi, Rajiv and Harinakshi of Someshwar, Sameer Arshadi and Sahira of Arala, Ibrahim and Mariamma of Bakrabail and Raviraj Lobo and Agnes from Kasargod entered wedlock.

The ceremony began with these couple tying nuptial knots and completing religious formalities at Shri Chandika Parameshwar Temple at B C Road, Mohiddin Jumma Masjid at Mittabail and Infant Jesus Church at Modankap.  Later a short but meanigful felicitation ceremony was held at community hall at B C Road.

Shri Gurudevanand Swamiji of Shri Kshetra Odiyoor, Fr Baptist Menezes, director of Fr Muller Medical College Hospital, MSM Abdul Rashid Zaini Kamil Sakhafi, state president of Sunni Student Federation hailed the efforts of the organizers in organizing such a unique marriage and blessed the couples.

Modankap parish priest Fr Rocky D'Souza, Catholic Sabha president Godwin Noronha, Lions Club president Vasant Kumar Shetty were also present on the occasion.