Naam Foundation to hold mass marriage in region

AURANGABAD: The Naam Foundation, which has been extending helping hand to the families affected due to farmer suicides in Marathwada, will organize a mass wedding for people from the region on January 9 next year.
Instituted by actors Nana Patekar and Makarand Anaspure, the foundation has appealed to the people to not take loans for the marriage of their daughters. Instead, they can enrol names in the ongoing registration drive for the mass wedding ceremony scheduled on January 9 next year.
Rajabhau Shelke, Marathwada convener of the Naam Foundation, said many poor families from the region consider their daughters as liability due to huge expenses incurred towards solemnising their nuptials.
While last year 23 couples had tied nuptial knots during maiden mass marriage ceremony organised by our foundation in Beed, this year the number is expected to swell further. “Our motive is to help needy parents in conducting marriages of their daughters and save unnecessary expenses,” Shelke said.
In the wake of drought-like situation last year, the foundation had offered financial aid of Rs 15,000 to every couple, who got married in the mass ceremony. They were also provided with a set of household items worth Rs 10,000. This year, only a set of household items would be gifted to the couples owing to the relatively better rainfall and agricultural conditions.
Any individual, irrespective of his or her caste, creed or religion, can take part in the mass marriage ceremony. The only condition is that the prospective brides should be at least 18 years of age while the grooms be not less than 21 years of age, Gautam Khatod, activist associated with Naam Foundation, said.
A state-level Keertan festival will take place in Beed between January 3 and 10 next year. Along with Naam Foundation, Khatod Foundation too has been involved in organising mass marriage event, the organisers said.
Those seeking further details can call on 9850077361 and 9822299207.