Big, fat weddings at what cost?

VBN Ram

Chaotic, slow-moving traffic competing for space with incoming baratis dancing to drumbeats with unbridled flamboyance while heading for wedding venues; countless cars, with valets at a loss to find appropriate parking; women decked up in what they perceive is ‘wedding appropriate’, glittering jewellery in the cold winter wedding season are a norm rather than exception. Resultantly, there is noise pollution — imagine the volume of firecrackers burst by all and sundry — traffic congestion; and colossal waste of time of road-users, many of whom may be negotiating that unwelcoming road for other important purposes. Ambulance services are a classic example.

In July, the SC expressed outrage over the wastage of food and water at wedding functions in the Capital. The Delhi Government must be congratulated for its alacrity in drafting norms, designed to cap the number of guests and curtail food wastage. The salient features are fourfold: a) processions of horse-drawn carriages and band not allowed outside the venue; b) number of guests to be appropriately correlated to the area of the venue and parking capacity; c) number of firearms and DJ sets must be as permissible by current regulatory requirements; and d) surplus food must be distributed among the poor by mandated nodal NGOs.

The above recommendations offer the best composite package for checkmating vulgar extravagance, besides the resolution of multiple undesirable practices indulged by uncaring citizens, more to ‘status match’ with deep-pocketed patricians.

The most despicable practice pertains to the utterly careless use of firearms. There have been innumerable incidents where celebratory fire has accidentally injured and killed guests at such functions.

I hate to be a spoilsport. After all, those entering the so-perceived stratospheric heights of nuptial bliss deserve this once-in-a-lifetime event to be celebrated in the ‘ideal’ manner. It should therefore be done with a moderate dose of song and dance, literally and figuratively. Like too much work makes Jack a dull boy; too much song and dance would certainly leave even a vivacious couple with cramps and sprains.

Apologists for the ‘Big Indian Fat Wedding’ and its logical sequel — vulgar extravagance (the financial magnitude is mind-boggling; an estimated $54 billion in 2014, as per a matrimony site) — may argue that besides assuaging the sensory pleasures of the elite, they generate phenomenal economic activity. While I can’t counter this argument, I would still like to ask them, at what cost?