SHAHJAHANPUR, Uttar Pradesh — A man from Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district, who himself grew up without a sister, has taken it upon himself to fill that void for underprivileged women by becoming a ‘brother’ and facilitating the marriages of 101 couples in a grand mass wedding ceremony.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the event, held on a recent Sunday at Khirni Bagh, saw 93 Hindu couples married according to Vedic rituals, while eight Muslim couples solemnised their unions through nikah, conducted by religious clerics. The ceremony was marked by a festive atmosphere, with brides receiving beauty parlour makeovers and couples arriving at the venue in 101 cars, symbolizing a collective celebration of new beginnings.
For many families, the initiative provided a much-needed respite from financial burdens. Shahid, whose sister Muskan was among the brides, shared that his family’s income from his father’s rickshaw driving and his mother’s paan and supari sales is insufficient to meet daily needs. He expressed deep gratitude that his sister’s wedding was being celebrated with such grandeur, which would have been financially impossible otherwise.
Similarly, Pooja, a differently-abled woman from Jamuka village, and her groom Ramniwas, whose legs are affected by disabilities and who lack stable income sources, began their married life with newfound hope. The occasion held significant meaning for the couple, whose smiles reflected the importance of the support they received.
The driving force behind this philanthropic endeavour is Vinay Agarwal, a local namkeen businessman. Agarwal stated that his own experience of not having a sister inspired him to extend support to daughters from financially struggling families, enabling them to tie the knot with dignity.
Agarwal told the Press Trust of India that his involvement in assisting with weddings began in 2018, initially through informal, uninvited contributions at ceremonies. Following the advice of his mother, Saroj Agarwal, he began structuring the effort more formally. In 2023, he facilitated weddings for 11 girls, followed by 21 the next year, and 51 thereafter. This year’s milestone of 101 weddings signifies a significant expansion of his charitable work.
He affirmed his commitment to continuing the initiative, ensuring that the number of brides receiving assistance would not decrease. Agarwal’s objective extends beyond merely arranging the wedding rituals; he aims to help newly married couples establish their households. Each couple received essential household items, including a television, refrigerator, washing machine, bed, and cupboard, to aid in setting up their new homes.
Agarwal’s family, including his wife Shweta, brother Kunal, sister-in-law Neha, and mother Saroj, actively participated in the organisation and execution of the ceremony, contributing to both the arrangements and rituals.
The event is traditionally held around Ram Navami, in remembrance of Agarwal’s late father, Ashok Agarwal. This year, the initiative received approximately 200 applications, from which 101 brides were selected through a rigorous three-stage verification process. Applications from women remarrying and those from affluent families were specifically excluded to ensure aid reached the most deserving.
Agarwal emphasized that he does not accept financial contributions from external parties for this initiative. Instead, he encourages individuals willing to help to organize weddings for needy girls themselves, offering his assistance if required. This approach fosters a wider community involvement in social service.
Dr. Satya Prakash Mishra, a Shahjahanpur-based doctor and social worker, lauded the initiative, calling it a matter of pride for the city that 101 couples benefited. He underscored the importance of undertaking genuine social service without discrimination based on caste, religion, or financial status, urging others to come forward and support those in need.
The Chenab Times News Desk