Low-key wedding for Bajrang Punia, Sangeeta

Ravinder Saini

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 22

Only family members and close relatives will be part of the wedding ceremony of international grappler Bajrang Punia with grappler Sangeeta Phogat, daughter of Dronacharya Awardee Mahavir Phogat, at Balali village in Charkhi Dadri district on November 25.

Twenty- six- year- old Bajrang, who has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics scheduled in July 2021, is a resident of Khuddan village in Jhajjar district but the family resides in Sonepat. Hence, the ‘baraat’ will leave for Balali village from Sonepat city.

A pre-wedding bash will also be hosted at home in Sonepat on November 24 for near and dear ones while a wedding reception has also been planned at Jurassic Park, Sonepat, on November 27 for VIP guests, including sports personalities, ministers of the central and state governments, Balwan Singh Punia, father of Bajrang, told The Tribune.

“Merely 50 family members and close relatives will be part of Bajrang’s ‘baraat’. The number of ‘baraatis’ has been confined to the minimum keeping in view the Covid cap fixed by the government.

“A pre-wedding bash will be hosted at our home in Sonepat a day before the marriage for which 250 persons, including friends of Bajrang and other family members, have been invited,” said Balwan.

He maintained the wedding reception of Bajrang and Sangeeta had been planned for VIPs on November 27. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda and other prominent political leaders, besides eminent players of wrestling and other games, are likely to attend the ceremony. Arrangements for 250 guests had been made at wedding reception, he added.

“We will not take dowry and the bride’s family has been apprised of it as we have everything that is required for a home,” said Balwan.