The Aala Hazrat Welfare Committee (AHWC) organised a mass marriage (Nikah) here on Sunday in the Raja Nagar field for 15 couples of mostly poor families.
Thousands including the VIPs of Sambalpur were present to bless the newly wedded and encourage the organisers.
WODC Chairman Kishore Mohanty and Sambalpur MLA Dr Raseswari Panigrahi blessed the couples and lauded the efforts of the AHWC. “This should be an eye opener for all others,” they told.
The Baraat of the grooms in a row from Ashok Talkies road to the marriage ground gave a different look to the city. This is for the second time that AHWC organised the event. The organisers also arranged gifts but not dowry for the new couples including beds, washing machines, almirah, utensils and new clothes etc.
“Some generous people and different organisations have come forward to help,” informed AHWC secretary Atif Alam.
“Initially, 21 parents registered the names of their daughters and sons for the mass marriage. But it could be known that some girls were below 18 for which they were not allowed. However, they will complete 18 just after a few months and we will arrange their marriage separately,” informed president Iftekar Khan.
“From next time we will also be conscious about the age factor since it is another vital issue as per the law of the land,” Khan added.
The newly wedded couples, their parents, relatives and the common people of the city expressed happiness over the gesture by the AHWC.