Saswat Singhdeo

Berhampur: Indian marriages are mostly grand-affairs during which special rituals are conducted over a period to complete the ceremony. But a couple from Ganjam district decided to defy all the traditional rituals and tied the knot by taking pledge of allegiance to the Constitution.

Going beyond the limitations imposed on the basis of caste, creed and religion, groom Biplab Kumar (31) and bride Anita (23) got their marriage solemnised by taking an oath on the Indian constitution. They not only organised a blood donation camp on the occasion, but also participated in it.

Biplab, an employee of a pharmaceutical firm, married Anita, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), in the presence of their family members, relatives and guests, many of whom also took part in the blood donation camp.

Retired government employee Bidyut Prabha Rath administered the oath to the newly-wed couple.

"Our marriage was solemnised without matching of horoscopes or chanting of hymns," the couple said.

Biplab’s father, Mohan Rao, a retired government employee, said he decided to conduct the marriage in a way that will set an example for the society. "I am a rationalist and I do not believe in traditional marriages where priests chant hymns," he said.

Bride Anita said she was happy the way the marriage was solemnised.

Speaking of the blood donation camp, Biplab said, "We decided to organise the blood donation camp to make our wedding memorable. Around 36 units of blood were collected on the occasion."

The Humanist and Rationalist Organisation (HRO) and the Association of Volunteer Blood Donors (AVBD) have lauded the efforts of the couple.

(With PTI inputs)

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