Virus shrinks big fat weddings, many hit hard

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, May 26

As marriage palaces have been shut for the past more than two months due to Covid, a number of people directly or indirectly linked with the wedding business have been hit hard.

For instance, people engaged in the light and sound business, wedding planners, tent house owners, florists, caterers and waiters are sitting idle. Some of them have started selling vegetables.

“A number of people have been affected as marriage palaces are shut. The state government should give some relaxation to us as well. Gatherings can be restricted, but functions should be allowed after obtaining permission from the local SDM. It will help a large number of people attached with the wedding business,” said Gulshan Kumar, owner of Punjab Palace, Malout.

He added, “We also demand a bailout package from the government. I have 40 workers, but am unable to pay them salaries. The government should think about these workers and businessmen as well. A number of people such as cloth merchants, salon owners, jewellers, and those in the automobile sector are linked to our business.”

Similarly, Ramesh Kumar, who instals lights at weddings, said, “We have been hit badly due to the Covid pandemic. Many of us have run out of money to makes ends meet. We have no option, but to sell vegetables. The government should think about us as well.”

A DJ said, “We are not rich like marriage palace owners, who can manage the expenses even during the lockdown. But not people like me. Nobody is thinking about us. Wedding functions are being held in a simple manner with restricted gatherings. Who needs a DJ at such times? The governments should give some relaxations or we will suffer huge financial losses.”

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