Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Recommendations are good, but will our 'maturity' allow its implementation?

The state's unit of the 'Commission for Women' has come up with recommendations - that would have far reaching implications and will, I believe, have the wholehearted supported of the entire strata of society - to cut down upon ostentatious weddings. Stories are a plenty where the brides' families have incurred heavy debts towards the conduct of their daughters' weddings - just to be at par(?) with the others.

The brides, quite often, look like they're advertising for gold companies and are severely restricted in their movements by the sheer weight of the ornaments that they're wearing! Usually, the ornaments and the clothes that are worn for the occasion are never, ever repeated!! And therefore, they become 'dead stock'!

No, I ain't being condescending nor am I trying to harp on an issue that I've long crossed over. I must hasten to add that mine wasn't ostentatious because, firstly, we'd consciously decided not to throw money around and more importantly, we didn't have the money to throw around, either. 

Let's go over the recommendations indicating the maximum amount that can be spent on each segment of a wedding:-

      (a) Invitation card                               Rs. 25/- per piece
      (b) Auditorium/pandal                        Rs. 25,000/-
      (c) Decoration                                     Rs. 5,000/-
      (d) Reception/party                             Rs. 100/- per plate
      (e) Bride's trousseau                           Rs. 10,000/-
      (f) Bridegroom's clothes                     Rs. 5,000/-
      (g) Gold ornaments                             @ 10 sovereigns for the bride
                                                                  @ 5 sovereigns for the bridegroom.

       Further,

         * No separate functions for betrothal and marriage. To be restricted to one function only.
            The number of guests for the betrothal @ 50 (25 from the bride's side and 25 from the
            bridegroom's) and the number of guests at the wedding @ 200 (100 from the bride's side
            and 100 from the bridegroom's).

         * Violation of the law (If the Commission's recommendations are accepted by the government
             and it becomes law) would entail paying a penalty @ 25% of the total expenses incurred.

         * The bride's and the bridegroom's parties are to give a signed affidavit regarding the
            expenditure towards the conduct of the wedding with a copy to the religious head conducting
            the same!

My take.

I congratulate the Commission for Women to have come up with the trailblazer of a wonderful social reform during these trying times.


Tailpiece.

Here's wishing that the government speedily accepts the recommendations and converts it into law.  

 

           
  

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