Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Byndoor (SP)

Byndoor, Feb 14: State muzrai minister, Kota Srinivas Poojary, said that awareness will be created about mass marriage programmes envisaged by the muzrai department in various 'A' category temples across Karnataka on April 26 by organizing symposiums at various places in the state. He added that these symposiums will be held at the
district level.

Speaking at Kollur on Thursday February 13 at a meeting about mass simple marriage programme, Poojary said that individual letters have been sent to all the MPs in the state, MLAs, MLCs, presidents of zilla and taluk panchayats and municipal presidents, requesting them to extend support to the mass marriage programmes being held within their districts. He said that all these leaders have been requested to support the programme by sinking political differences if any.

"There is no dearth of funds to hold these mass marriage programmes. The state has temples which earn revenue or Rs 100 crore annually and the government is ready to hold mass marriages across the state on a large scale. Cine star Yash, and Sudha Murthy of the Infosys Foundation, who are the brand ambassadors for the mass marriage programmes, will be reaching out to everyone in the state through their videos and voice recordings," he explained.

The minister said that the couples taking part in the mass marriages will be provided clothes and golden mangalsutra apart from golden nuggets, totally costing Rs 55,000. The brides will get fixed deposit of Rs 10,000 on behalf of the revenue department under 'Adarsha Vivaha' scheme. Couples from scheduled castes get facilities worth Rs 50,000 from social welfare department under simple marriage scheme, he explained.

March 27 happens to be the last date for registering names for the April 26 mass marriage programme. The brides and grooms have to collect applications from the executive officers of the temples and submit them duly filled along with requisite documents, he said. He also said that Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, head of Suttur Math, Siddaganga Math Swamiji and other religious leaders will be present at the mass marriage programmes to bless the newlyweds. "Some private organizations have come forward with offer to present gifts to the brides and grooms," he revealed.

Kollur temple executive committee president Harish Kumar Shetty, chief executive officer Aravind Suttagundi, assistant executive officer Krishnamurthy, zilla panchayat member Babu Hegde and members of temple executive committee and some others were present.

'Saptapadi' chariot flagged off

'Saptapadi' chariot meant to spread awareness about the free mass marriage programme of the government, was flagged off by minister for muzrai, fisheries, ports and inland water transport, Kota Srinivas Poojary, in front of Kollur Goddess Mookambika temple on Thursday February 13.

The minister, speaking on the occasion, said that out of over 3,400 temples under the muzrai department, nearly 200 temples have good income. He said that mass marriages as per Hindu traditions will be held in 100 A category temples on April 26, duly adding that the government is prepared to hold marriages in an orderly way irrespective of the number of participants. He said that the 'Saptapadi' chariot will go to places in villages and towns where density of people is more, and distribute pamphlets besides providing necessary information about the mass marriage programme.

"In Kollur, 16 applications have already been collected by the people, and we expect over a 100 applications in this temple," he said. He requested the temple governing council and officials to take interest in the programme and hold the programmes successfully by treating them as functions of their own household.

Kolllur temple executive committee president Harish Kumar Shetty, chief executive officer Aravind Suttagundi, Kollur gram panchayat president Prakash, and several others were present.