Daijiworld Media Network - Sangli
Sangli, Mar 12: A wedding in Sangli has drawn widespread attention for its message of social reform and simplicity, as a couple chose to eliminate lavish expenses and donate the savings for social causes.
Suraj and Madhumita, who tied the knot in Ishwarpur, decided to avoid unnecessary wedding expenditures and managed to save around Rs 2 lakh, which they have pledged to contribute to various social initiatives.
The ceremony followed the ‘Satyashodhak’ tradition promoted by social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule, which emphasises rational thinking and rejects practices such as horoscope matching.
To assess their compatibility, the couple used a questionnaire developed by the Maharashtra Andhshraddha Nirmoolan Samiti founded by social activist Narendra Dabholkar.
“We discussed one question every day for two months before deciding we were compatible,” Suraj said. The questionnaire covered issues such as gender equality and views on menstruation — topics often considered taboo in many families.
In another step against caste-based identity, both Suraj and Madhumita dropped their surnames, which often indicate caste. Instead, they adopted names combining their parents’ names.
Madhumita said their parents were financially capable of organising a lavish wedding but the couple insisted on funding the ceremony themselves. They convinced their parents to donate the intended wedding budget to projects such as tree plantation drives and manufacturing biodegradable cotton pads.
The couple opted for a simple registered marriage followed by a small engagement ceremony at Madhumita’s home. As part of the celebrations, their parents planted saplings using water brought from the Godavari River and Krishna River.
The event in Suraj’s hometown was organised with several social messages. The wedding was completely plastic-free, and instead of the traditional ritual of throwing coloured rice, guests were invited to leave their thumbprints on a canvas as a symbolic gesture.
As the wedding coincided with International Women's Day, the couple gifted female guests saplings and bags made from recycled saris.