Lockdown woes: Over 500 marriages postponed in Karnal

QUOTES

March, April and May had large number of bookings for marriages, but the lockdown has forced people to postpone their functions — Sahil Sukhija, vice-president, Lawn and Banquet Association, Karnal

Amid the lockdown, I did not want my marriage ceremony to be performed without my near and dears, so my family has decided to postpone the marriage till the end of this year — Nikhil Kumar, a resident of Indri

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 12

Banquet lawns are lying unused due the ongoing Covid pandemic lockdown, the industry has been hit hard as the people have been forced to postpone their wedding celebrations. As per information, more than 500 marriages have been postponed in the district.

Owners of these establishments fear that the industry may take one year to revive as people will hesitate to hold mass gatherings in the coming months. However, their hopes are pinned on November and December, when marriages are held in large numbers.

“March, April and May had large number of bookings for marriages, but the lockdown has forced people to postpone their functions,” said Sahil Sukhija, vice-president, Lawn and Banquet Association, Karnal.

He said from March 24 to May end, he had bookings for 23 marriages, but these had been cancelled. An owner of another banquet hall said, “Other industries have started functioning, but our industry will take time to be back on track.”

Caterer Sahil Jasuja said the supply chain had been impacted due to the lockdown and now, people would not organise mass gatherings to maintain social distancing. “If the situation gets normal in a couple of months, people will avoid holding functions for a long time,” he added. Sunil Bindal, who runs a banquet hall in the city, too had to cancel 15 marriage bookings. He said it was very tough time for the industry. “Our hopes are pinned on November and December when a large number of marriages are held,” he added.

Nikhil Kumar (27), a resident of Indri, had made all arrangements for his marriage on April 13. Cards were also printed and some were distributed to friends, sweets were also made and a grand celebration was planned, but due to the nationwide lockdown, he had postponed his marriage. “Amid the lockdown, I did not want my marriage ceremony to be performed without my near and dears, so my family has decided to postpone the marriage till the end of this year,” he added.

A 30-year-old local resident said they had no option but to postpone the marriage scheduled on April 10, due to the lockdown.