Sewa Bharti: Making marriages memorable and pollution free

http://www.sewabharathi.com/2011/05/sewa-bharti-making-marriages-memorable.html

Source;: Tribune

Jai Kumar

Bilaspur, May 19
Breaking from several social barriers and deeply ingrained traditions, Mansha Ram, Seva Bharti state convener and retired teacher of Brahamali village under Ghumarwin subdivision, near here, celebrated the marriage of his son Vivek in a different way on Sunday, making a stark departure from unwholesome and cheap celebrations.

Reports said there was no “band, baja”, no ear-tearing tunes of cheap film songs, no clumsily dancing drunk youths, no cold drinks, except “nimbu paani” and litchi juice, and of course no liquor. Instead there were soft bhajans and patriotic songs, including the ever-green “dhun” of the “Hanuman Chaalisa”.

There was no ostentatious wastage and show of wealth and the social, religious character and piety of the event was fully maintained.

Master Mansha Ram had even persuaded his 85-year-old mother and the entire family to go in for this departure from the unhealthy practices so deeply rooted with traditional marriages.

Villagers were all praise for this initiative of the retired teacher and said, “After all somebody has to be bold enough to take the initiative and say goodbye to all that is unwholesome”.

As the barat returned home with the bride, the couple did “Bharat Mata poojan,” joined by all members of the family and villagers.