Mysuru: It was a mass marriage, but it was not organised by any religious institution or a single private person. Over 6,000 people flew to Nanjangud Srikanteswara Kalamandir, where an air of celebration prevailed. It was a big day for 116 couples, including five specially challenged, and 107 couples who were children of farmers. They all entered wedlock at the simple mass marriage, “Shubharamba,” organised by Mysuru district administration entirely through private sponsorship. The district administration had conducted a survey among farmers who ended their lives recently.
They found that frivolous expenditure for weddings leading to unnecessary loans and a stressful life was one of the major reasons behind their suicides. So Deputy Commissioner C Shikha, decided to change that with the support of District-in-charge Minister V Srinivasprasad. They formed a team of district-level officers led by probationary DC Shilpa Nag and organized a mass wedding for all communities, irrespective of their financial status, on Sunday.
The purpose to transform the mindset of people, especially farmers, to embrace simple weddings, and also to support farmers who are in distress at the time of drought and prevent farmer suicides.
The oath of Kuvempu’s Manthra Mangalya was administered to the couples by Mr Srinivasprasad, who said, “Weddings should not become a matter of prestige, but a simple occasion to unify hearts and build beautiful lives.
We will recommend to the State government to extend this initiative to other districts.” Except for five couples from Mysuru district, and three from other districts including Ramanagar, Chamarajnagar and Hassan, 107 couples were children of farmers from all taluks of Mysuru district.
