Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 1: In the seventh annual mass marriage function for couples belonging to Mogaveera community held here on Thursday April 30, 25 couples entered wedded life. The function was held at Shyamili Hall in Ambalpady here under the aegis of Ambalpady G Shankar Family Trust, and Mogaveera Youth Organization.

Every couple was allowed to bring in 100 guests. As such, about 2,500 people gathered at the event. On behalf of the sponsoring organizations, Mangal Sutra and sari were presented to the brides, while the groom was provided with Dhoti and headgear. Sumptuous food was also arranged for all the guests.

The brain behind this initiative, Dr G Shankar, said that with this, a total of 159 couples had got married through the annual marriage programmes held since the last seven years. He said that his aim is to see that 101 couples get married at the mass marriage function next year. 'G Shankar Family Trust and Mogaveera organization have the satisfaction of helping poor families to conduct marriages in an honourable way without getting caught in the web of dowry and unnecessary expenditure. He said that he will try to make the government agree to his proposal of presenting every couple which marries in mass marriage functions, with an incentive of Rs 10,000.

Sagri Vedavyasa Aithal performed marriage rituals. President of Mogaveera Youth Organization, Balkur Sadananda, helped in conducting the programme smoothly.