January 22, 2025

A marriage is a union of two souls. In India, it is marred by many factors, the worst of which is the custom of demanding dowry from the bride’s family. Although society has changed for the better with educated girls refusing to marry grooms whose families demand dowry, the custom refuses to go away. Still, more and more couples are recognizing the fact that any union that incorporates outdated and unfair customs is not right and are opting for simple marriages.

One such heartwarming gesture from a groom in Kendrapara in Odisha must serve as a model for all those who are going to marry in future. Sarojkanta Biswal, a school teacher, refused to accept any kind of wedding gifts from his wife-to-be’s family. Instead, he asked his father-in-law to give him 1001 saplings of fruit-bearing trees, turning it into a ‘green’ wedding. The bride’s father was more than happy to comply with the request. The proud groom carried the saplings in his baraat the next day.

Sarojkanta distributed 700 of the saplings to villagers in his native village Balabhadrapur and the rest in wife Rashmirekha’s village Belana the next day. Although the villagers would not be able to enjoy the fruits immediately, generations to come will be able to do so for many years. Nature would be more than pleased and bless the couple for their noble act. One is not sure that other couples will be as aware – or non-materialistic - as these two, but their selfless action is worth emulating.