Not limo, roadways bus for NRI wedding

Deepkamal Kaur

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 19

As most couples like to splurge on their weddings to make it a big show, an NRI bride and groom of Nawanshahr has set a unique example of keeping the occasion simple, yet memorable.

Having flown back home from Quwait, Amarjot Singh yesterday chose to take his “baraat” of 20 people from his Bheen village in Nawanshahr in a Punjab Roadways bus to Jagraon. Holding simple wedding rituals, he brought back “doli” of his Canada-based bride Aman Sahota to his home again in a Roadways bus from Jagraon to Nawanshar bus stand, while further hiring an auto-rickshaw to his village.

Today, instead of a wedding reception, the couple organised a blood donation camp at their place where about 20 youth, including the groom, donated blood. Amarjot Singh, who works as an electrician, said “Having spent years in Quwait, I have made good money and could have easily gone for a lavish marriage function. But I, being secretary of Nawanshahr-based NGO Ek Rishta Insaniyat Welfare Society, have chosen to lead a simple life and donate for good causes. My NGO has adopted 80 poor kids and we will support them with every possible help till they get established in their career.”

Amarjot shared, “Mine is not the first simple marriage in my family. My maternal cousin and all relatives had cycled to the bride’s place for marriage function.”

Dr Lakhwinder Singh, president of the NGO who runs a clinic in Rahon, said, “It all started with my marriage. We had taken “baraat” on rickshaws. All along, our volunteers, who have been part of our “baraats”, carry placards spreading message of keeping the marriage functions simple and instead donate for the welfare of weaker sections of society.”