Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Apr 16: Prospective brides and grooms from Kesri sect walked the ramp in Varanasi as suitors. The catwalkers said the occasion provided them the scope to do away with the dowry system.
"There used to be 'swayamwaras' in the past, and then it came down to families fixing up matches. Here boys and girls see each other and family members get to know them," said Parul Kesri, who, after graduation decided to get married."One can come, if he is willing and marry with consent. The best part is that there is no scope for the dowry system to creep in," said Vishnu Keshri, a prospective groom.
The show was organised by community leaders, as a departure from traditional matchmaking confined to families and elders.
Organisers of the event said apart from doing away with social evils, the format boosted chances of a good match as suitors reached out to a much larger circle."When parents and relatives see the boys and girls on the ramp, there would discussions among the circle and good matches would be made. Since this is happening from an open stage, it provides good scope to put an end to the dowry system," said Sanjay Keshri, an organiser.
Hindu marriages are extremely elaborate affairs. There are a whole lot of considerations to matchmaking, including caste, horoscope.
Traditionally, the boy's and the girl's consent is not even asked for and the match making is carried out by parents, priests and community elders.
Source: Daily India
