Mandya: A growing number of unmarried young men, especially those involved in agriculture, are facing challenges in finding a life partner in Mandya. Despite their dedication to farming, many parents are hesitant to arrange marriages for their daughters with these young farmers, leading to a significant population of unmarried men aged 30 and above.
In response to this situation, the youth of Mandya have decided to embark on a pilgrimage to Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt in December. This pilgrimage serves a dual purpose: seeking a change in fortune and shedding light on the difficulties they face in finding suitable matches.
This marks the second padayatra organized this year, with the first one in February where young farmers marched from Malavalli taluk to Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Chamarajanagar district, highlighting the challenges they face in finding a suitable match. Girimallu, a resident of Mandya, emphasized the urgent need for the state government to implement a comprehensive ‘Vadhu Bhagya’ plan to address the matrimonial struggles of young farmers.
Girimallu stated, “Due to hundreds of problems, the youth of our village have stopped dreaming of marriage.” This sentiment is shared by many young men grappling with societal norms that seem resistant to change. KM Sivaprasad, founder of the All Karnataka Brahmacharis Association, noted that while awareness about the challenges of finding a bride has increased, the mindset of brides and their families remains unchanged.
Santosh of T. Naraseepur taluk in Mysore district shared the frustration of many young farmers, stating, “We are not asking for dowry; it is enough to handle the family. But none of the families are ready to give us a daughter.” As the youth prepare for their pilgrimage to Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt, their journey symbolizes not just a quest for divine intervention but a plea for societal understanding and a reevaluation of traditional matrimonial norms.
