Beltangady: Mass Marriages, Ray of Hope for Poor People – Assembly Speaker
Pics: Karthik Studio
Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Feb 19: “Hindu marriages are a part of the Hindu culture that is handed down through ages, which speak of the refinement and heritage of Hindus. Mass marriages are conducted when it becomes difficult for families to conduct individual marriages. The very concept of mass marriages has provided a ray of hope for the poor people, for whom meeting heavy expenditure for conducting marriages of their children is an unbearable burden,” said state assembly speaker, K G Bopaiah. He termed mass marriages as an ideal programme, where people can wed together by crossing the barriers of caste and creed. He appreciated Swastik Friends Club and the force behind it, Tungappa Bangera for undertaking this noble task.

He was speaking after inaugurating the second annual mass marriage programme and ‘Swasti Siri’ awards function, organized by Swastik Friends Club, Punjalakatte in the taluk, at Kattemane ground in the village, on the occasion of the 26th annual day of the Club, on Thursday February 18.

Women and child welfare minister, Narendra Swamy, presented incentive amount of Rs 10,000 each being given by the state government to the newly wed couples under the ‘Ideal Marriage (Adarsha Vivaha)’ scheme. He also conferred the ‘Swastisiri’ state level awards on the occasion. Speaking later, he said that the government, which presently has been giving incentives to organizations which conduct mass marriages, is planning to increase the incentive amount.

Responding to Tungappa Bangera’s request to absorb Anganwadi workers as government employees, Swamy said that the government will abide by the Supreme Court verdict on the issue.

Sri Sadguru Brahmananda Saraswati Swamiji of Kanyady Srirama Temple, in his benedictory address, advised the people not to get blinded by lack of knowledge and lust, and to lead a balanced life by judicially mixing righteousness, monetary matters, married life and efforts at liberation, during their lifetime. He advised people to treat everyone else with reverence and respect, and behave courteously with one and all. Sri Esha Vittaladasa Swamiji of Kemar Mutt also delivered benedictory address on the occasion. Fr Valerian Frank, priest of Madantyar Sacred Heart Church, extended his best wishes to the programme and the newly wed couples.

MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Coastal Development Authority chairman, B Nagaraj Shetty, Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat president, Santosh Kumar Bhandary and vice president, Jagannath Salian, MLA, B Ramanath Rai, former MLAs, K Prabhakar Bangera and A Rukmaya Poojary, Bantwal tahsildar, Manjunath, district BJP president, Padmanabh Kottary, Padmashekhar Jain and a number of other dignitaries were present to bless the couples.

57 couples entered wedlock at the event, at the auspicious time of 12.49 pm. Vedamurty Srikrishna Bhat officiated the religious rituals. Over 25,000 persons had gathered for the programme. Lunch had been arranged for everyone.

Friends Club president, Prashant Punjalakatte was present. Founder president of the Club, M Tungappa Bangera, delivered introductory address. Member, Gopal Anchan, welcomed. Ratnadev Punjalakatte proposed vote of thanks.