Mangaluru: Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary informed that those who intend to get married in a simple manner should utilise the government programme ‘Saptapadi Mass Marriage’, which will be held on April 26 and May 24 in ‘A’ grade temples of the state.
He was addressing the gathering after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Saptapadi Mass Marriage’ at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Sunday, February 23. Kota said, “ one should not feel ashamed for getting wedlock in this mass marriage. The mass marriages will be held in all 30 districts of the state and district administrations and elected representatives of the respected areas should get involved in this programme as if it is their own programme.”
Minister Poojary said that there is no dearth of funds to organise mass marriages. “The bridegroom will receive Rs 5,000 and the bride will receive Rs 10,000 to buy new clothes for the wedding. Meanwhile, the bride will receive Rs 40,000 to buy Mangalasutra and bonds worth Rs 10,000 from the Revenue Department. Couples from SC/ST communities will receive a bond worth Rs 50,000 from the Social Department. Couples who are keen on entering into wedlock through mass marriages should submit an application to the temples,” he added.
MP and BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, who was the chief guest at the programme, shed light upon the incidents of suicides which occur in different parts of the country. “Owing to financial difficulties, parents commit suicide because they are not able to get their daughters married. This government programme ‘Saptapadi’ will be a boon to such people,” he said.
Dubbing Kota Srinivas Poojary’s initiative as “revolutionary”, Nalin said that this programme will reach all people who belong to different communities. He also asked Kota to conduct programmes at Hindu temples, which exposes the budding youth to their culture. “Even though the younger generation is educated, they don’t have enough culture, which makes them shout slogans in favour of our enemies. In order to prevent this, programmes should be organised at our Hindu temples to ensure that proper culture is taught to the younger generation,” he said.
Karnataka State Dharmika Parishat member Dr Maharshi Anand Guruji, who was also present at the programme, said that those who get married in mass marriage programmes should lead happy lives with mutual understanding and patience.
Prior to the programme two ‘Sapthapadi Rathas’ (Chariots) to publicise mass marriage in the Dakshina Kannada district was launched at the Town Hall. These two chariots will give publicity to the scheduled mass marriages and ask the public to utilise this opportunity.
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath presided over the programme. MLAs Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Umanath Kotian, Sanjeeva Matandoor, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Dayanand Kattalsar, Zilla Panchayat president Meenakshi Shanthigodu, vice president Kasthuri Panja, Karnataka Dharmika Parishat member Kashekodi Sooryanarayan and others were present.
