Social welfare minister, H Anjaneya daughter in mass marriage, but at what cost!
Minister will gift 97 cows, mangalsutras and rings to newly weds
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-11-18 09:02 GMT
Chitradurga: While most couples tying the knot in mass marriage ceremonies are gifted a mangalasutra, a ring and new clothes, social welfare minister, H Anjaneya is going one better and gifting his daughter and son-in-law at their no-frills wedding with 96 other couples on November 17 a cow as well .
All the other couples at the mass wedding in Holalkere too will receive a cow each along with a mangalsutra, clothes and a ring. Gifting milking cows to newly wedded couples is his a way of showing his gratitude to the people of his constituency and help them get some form of income, the minister explains.
“I am from a humble background and always prefer simplicity. Politicians regularly attend mass marriages and give speeches about simplicity and the need for avoiding ostentatious weddings, but I am practicing what I preach. I want to send out a message that ostentations weddings are totally unnecessary. Parents spend a month distributing cards which is a waste of time as well, ” he said, adding that there was no reception planned either.
The minister’s daughter, A.V. Anupama, is a graduate from Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru, and his soon to be son-in-law, Shashwath S, is an MBA and MNC employee.
Mr Anjaneya said he chose November 19 for the wedding as it was the 97th birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and pontiffs of various mutts are scheduled to attend the mass marriage ceremony.