18 pairs married off in Lion’s 16th Mass Marriage ceremony at Silchar

February 16: Though it is usually said that ‘Marriages are made in Heaven’ but to execute them on earth, the aspect of financial involvement cannot be ignored. Many a times, people living in abject poverty become bound to move from door to door to accumulate money for giving away marriage of their wards.

Keeping this concept in mind, Lions Club Silchar Central has taken in hand the project of mass marriage (Gana Bibaha) since 2005. This year, a total of 18 pairs tied their knot in the mass marriage ceremony organised by the Lions at Silchar Normal School premises on Sunday.

Speaking to way2barak, Lion Angshu Kumar Roy, Project Chairman of the Mass Marriage Scheme said, “In a bid to extend helping hand towards the people belonging to the financially weaker section of the society, Lions Club of Silchar Central has undertaken this mass marriage project. The couples are required to apply in writing and then they are selected on the basis of of an interview.” Not only those who were married, but even all the members of Lions enjoyed the mass marriage ceremony to their hearts content.

Lion Sumit Das, Secretary of Lions Club of Silchar Central said, “This project started in 2005 and 6 couples were married off then. Since then, it has been a regular affair. In 2017, a total of 34 pairs tied their knot during the mass marriage, which is the highest number so far. Last year, 25 pairs tied their knot. A total of 347 pairs were married off till 2019.” Out of the 18 pairs who tied their nuptial knot this year, only 1 pair is from Silchar, while the rest are from tea garden areas.

On 16 February, Sunday, the mass marriage event started at Silchar Normal School premises at 11 in the morning. Beautifully dressed 18 couples were seated along with their relatives and huge number of people over there. Members from the other Lions club of Barak valley also attended the grand marriage ceremony. Four sets were designed (kunja) for the purpose of marriage rituals and 6 priests were there to solemnise the marriages. The 18 couples who got married were given a number of items of daily need and grocery on behalf of the Lions.

Apart from the marriage rituals, other events were also undertaken alongside the mass marriage ceremony. A number of traditional dance and song performances enthralled the audience and indeed created an ideal marriage ambience.