1. Home
2. Jammu Kashmir

52 girls tie knot in a mass wedding in Kashmir

FARZANA SYED. Dated: 10/11/2018 3:02:32 PM

Event organised by a voluntary group

SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Fifty two girls from economically downtrodden families tied knot on Wednesday in a mass wedding which was organised by a voluntary group Aash.
During the two day ceremony titled 'Mass Shaadi' 52 girls belonging to district Budgam of central Kashmir were married in a simple marriage ceremony in which people from various sections of the society participated.
A large number of people which included people from business fraternity and media, were present during the event which was held at a local school in Budgam area.
The two day event, which promotes a noble cause, started on Tuesday with Hina function while Nikah were recited on Wednesday.
The event, which is second of its kind in Kashmir ,has yet again set an example for the society to come forward for the daughters who are of marriageable age but due to low economic stability cannot get married.
Qurat ul Ain Masoodi, who runs the Aash organization, said such events were the need of the hour as thousands of girls belonging to poor families were not able to get married.
She said because of poverty scores of girls were crossing the proper age of marriage while we as society was not paying any heed.
“The institution of marriage in Kashmir valley has completely transformed in an alarming way as a result thousands of our sisters are not able to get married," Qurat said.
"Through this I thought of doing something for these daughters and our sisters. I just thought of contributing a bit to the society through this," Qurat revealed.
"There were many girls who were engaged, but were not able to marry. So, 52 girls were registered and we were able to conduct their marriage," she said.
As their wedding, the brides were gifted with holy book of Quran, a pair of golden ear rings, , two suits and a makeup Kit.
The girls were also gifted a sewing machine so that they could find a source of income after marriage.
"We have also gifted sewing machine to each bride so that they can work and earn after marriage," Qurat revealed.
Pertinently, the first ever mass wedding was organized by Jafri Council of Kashmir in the month of July this year. In the ceremony over 100 girls tied the knot.
Though the institution of marriage is considered sacred in the society however in Kashmir the same has turned into a business of unnecessary rituals and customs.
Over the years due to several societal issues the average age at which marriages in Kashmir are taking place, has gone up to an alarming level.