Mass marriages of 22 Sikh couples performed

Hyderabad, May 15 (INN): As many as 22 couples got married at "Samuhik Vivaha Samagam " (Mass Marriages) under one umbrella at Gurudwara Saheb Barambala, Sikh Chawniat in the presence of noted religious heads.

It was a dream which came true for the 22 Sikh couples who got married in a befitting manner without spending a penny that too in the presence of over 25,000 Sikhs who came from far off places to bless them.

The happiest of them were the couples' parents who never dreamt of their sons and daughters getting married in such a grand and befitting manner that too without the usual expenditure involved in performing marriages. To add to their happiness, Ministers, State Government officials and Sikh Heads graced the function and blessed the newlywed couples.

On behalf of the State Government, they handed over cheques to the newly wed couples. All credit for making the impossible dream come true for the new couples and their parents and grandparents goes to the Central Gurudwara Saheb Gowliguda Prabhandak Committee.

The brides and bridegrooms hailed from Maharashtra, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Karimnagar, Hanamkonda, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Warangal, Aurangabad and other outside places.

The Samuhik Vivaha Samagam started at 9 AM with a colourful `Baraat' of 22 bridegrooms on horses from Asha Singh Bagh Gurudwara, Sikh Chawni to Gurudwaea Barambal Saheb.`Anand Karaj (Lawan Phere)', ie, soleminsing of marriage was performed at 11 am.

This unique service was provided by the Prabhandak Committee Central Gurudwara Saheb Gowliguda keeping in view that many families who cannot afford to perform such luxurious marriages that require heavy expenditure which cannot be borne by Sikh families.

The most heartening part was that all the Sikh Gurudwaras of Hyderabad extended wholehearted support for the successful conduct of these marriages. Various gurudwara committees and individuals presented domestic articles to the newly married couples which will help in settling their lives.

The Minorities Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh has extended a financial support of Rs 15,000 to each couple in form of household articles. People expressed happiness and complimented the Prabhandak Committee for the service being provided in solemnising the marriage of Sikhs who cannot afford luxurious marriages.

Prabhadak Committee president S Tirlok Singh and general secretary S Satbir Singh said that only Gurmukh and Amritdhari Sikhs were allowed to participate in the marriages. The Prabhandak Committtee made all arrangements including accommodation facilities, Guru-ka-Langar (breakfast, lunch and dinner etc).