A family from Pakistan has arrived in Jodhpur to celebrate their daughter Meena Sodha’s wedding with great joy and traditional flair. The pre-wedding festivities are already underway, with the Bandoli ceremony taking place on Tuesday, followed by the groom’s ‘Baraat’ arriving from Jaisalmer on Wednesday to complete the celebrations.
Meena’s parents, Ganpat Singh Sodha and Dimple Bhati, shared their happiness about having the wedding in India. Ganpat Singh explained, “Our marriages must take place in India because many people in Pakistan belong to our gotra. According to our customs, we cannot marry within the same gotra, so we come to India for such events.”
Ganpat also revealed that his elder brother, Lal Singh Sodha, moved to India in 2013, and he himself arrived in 2022 to make arrangements for Meena’s wedding. The family is excited that the wedding is taking place in India, where Meena will be safe, he added. “The boy is a teacher, and our families are so happy that our daughter is marrying here,” Ganpat said.
However, traveling from Pakistan to India comes with its challenges. Ganpat highlighted the difficulties due to the suspension of the Munabao train service and the hurdles of obtaining visas and extensions. Despite these obstacles, the family’s happiness is evident as they celebrate this milestone.
Meena, who pursued her Bachelor’s degree from Kamala Nehru Mahila Mahavidyalaya in Jodhpur, shared her perspective on the two countries, stating, “I don’t see much difference between India and Pakistan. I don’t understand why people create unnecessary fear about each other.”
Her mother, Dimple Bhati, also expressed her fondness for India, describing the environment and people as welcoming. Having traveled between both countries for the past decade, the family’s positive experiences only add to their joy on this special occasion.
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