Islamabad : 60 Hindu couples from poor families tied the knot at a mass wedding organised by an NGO in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi.

The couples sat in colourfully designed mandaps at the YMCA Lawn during the event organised yesterday by the Pakistan Hindu Council, which bore all expenses and provided the dowry for the brides.

Each couple was allowed to bring 20 guests and the bride was given jewellery, a bed set, quilts and blankets, a television, an iron, clothes and utensils, Pakistan Hindu Council president Ramesh Kumar Vankhwani said.

Some of the couples hailed from Karachi while others were from different parts of Sindh province, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Jamshoro and Ghotki.

The pandit gave instructions over the microphone and all couples followed in synchronicity.

The couples performed the seven rounds around the fire while rituals unique to each family were held inside their individual mandaps.

The Hindus from the Rathore community made the groom carry a dagger while taking the rounds.

Members of the community said this was a legacy of their kings and helped to ward off evil.

Dheeraj Kumar, the brother of a groom, said his brother was engaged for a year but the family did not have the money to arrange a wedding.

Groom Vijay and his bride Komal were very happy at the wedding.

"It's a different experience," Vijay said. Haresh and Dema found out about the wedding two days ago and had little time to prepare.

"I only bought my clothes a night before the wedding and had to get them stitched too," Dema said.

The couple said they would go to their village to perform other rituals with the rest of their families. Haresh's sister-in-law said the family was planning to spend Rs 80,000 on the wedding but managed to save nearly Rs 50,000.

Though arrangements were made for 4,000 guests, many more attended the event.

An elderly woman named Mamta could not hide her excitement.

"It may essentially be a cheap way to wed for the poor but it is also good that it brings together so many people of different sects together," she said

The List of the Couples who tie the knot in the combined Marriages Program arranged by Pakistan Hindu Council on 1st November 2008 at Swami Narain Temple M.A.Jinnah Road, Karachi Sindh

S.No	R.No	Full Name of Bride & Groom	City	Residential Address
01	02	Mr.Kailash  s/o Preemji	KARACHI	House No:15,Kashmir Corner Jail Rd Karachi
		Miss Hansa Bai d/o Mr Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
02	03	Mr.Manhar s/o Mr. Vithal	KARACHI	Albella A-16,Doulat Arcade  Patel Para Karachi
		Miss Rena Bai d/o Mr Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
03	04	Mr Valji s/o Devji	KARACHI	House No:43,Firdous Colony Gul Bahar Karachi
		Miss Sonia d/o Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
04	05	Mr. Raju s/o Babu	KARACHI	House No:580,Mushuruf Colony Hawke bay  Karachi
		Miss Pamilla Bai d/o Preemji	KARACHI	H: No:22 Mukhi Choaith Ram Road Soldier Bazar Karachi
05	06	Mr.Rajesh s/o Baboo	KARACHI	H.E-16, P& T Colony Gizri Road Karachi
		Miss Jooti Bai d/o Gopal	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
06	07	Mr. Sajan s/o  Baboo Faquira	KARACHI	H# B-273,Parsee Cemetery Empress  Saddar Karachi
		Miss Poonam Bai d/o Gopal	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
07	08	Mr. Manoj s/o Chaman	KARACHI	H#32Meghji Bhagawanji Building Narainpura karachi
		Miss Sonam d/o Kanji	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
08	11	Mr Ravi s/o Gopal Naik	KARACHI	H# 25/2,Chandio Village Gizri Road Karachi.
		Miss Asha d/o Mr Harichand	KARACHI	Chandio Village Gizri Road Karachi.
09	12	Mr Bhamro s/o Jagmal	UMERKOT	Village :Syed Hussain Ali Shah Tal:Umerkot Sindh
		Miss Marrium d/o Kanji	SANGHER	Village Anwer Maree Distt: Sangher Sindh.
10	18	Mr Ameet Kumar s/o Preemji	KARACHI	Fiction Village P&T Colony Gizri Karachi.
		Miss Sunita d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18,K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
11	19	Mr Raj s/o Chaman	KARACHI	H # 22, Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Anita d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18,K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
12	20	Anil s/o Rao jee	KARACHI	H # 22 Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Shobha d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18, K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
13	23	Mr Veerbhan s/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar.
		Miss Shamee d/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
14	24	Mr Chander s/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
		Miss Anita d/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
15	21	Mr Haresh s/o Daaya	KARACHI	H # 7, Block-2, Badi Lane Narain Pura R. Lane Karachi.
		Miss Bai d/o Shanker Daaya	KARACHI	H # 18, Block-2, New Building Narainpura Karachi.
16	26	Mr Mahesh s/o Mr Manhar	KARACHI	H # Quqrter No:9 Meghji Bhagwanji Building Narainpura Ranchore Lane  Karachi
		Miss Chanda d/o Govind	KARACHI	H # Quqrter No:10 Meghji Bhagwanji Building NarainpuraRanchore Lane Karachi
17	27	Mr Heera s/o Devji	KARACHI	H # 28, Block-10, Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Nomita d/o Jivraj	KARACHI	Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg:Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.

The List of the Couples who tie the knot in the combined Marriages Program arranged by Pakistan Hindu Council on 8TH November 2009 at Y.M.C.A.Ground Starchen Road, Karachi Sindh

S.No	R.No	Full Name of Bride & Groom	City	Residential Address
01	01-A	Miss. Chanda d/o Mr Neelo	Vill: Kheto Patel	Village Kheto Patel Distt: Tando Allahyar Sindh.
	01-B	Mr.Faqueero s/o Kalio	Vill: Kheto Patel	Village Kheto Patel Distt: Tando Allahyar Sindh.
02	03-A	Miss. Madhoo Bai d/o Preemji	Karachi	House # 23,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	03-B	Mr. Deepak Kumar s/o Poonam	Karachi	House # 22,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
03	04-A	Miss. Anita d/o Bhika	Karachi	H # 2/20,Narainpura Ranchore lane Karachi
	04-B	Mr.Shuneel s/o Mr.Kantilal	Karachi	Quarter# 5, Narainpura Ranchore lane Karachi.
04	5-A	Miss. Hema Bai d/o Baboo	Karachi	H # 24, Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg: Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	05-B	Mr.Danesh Kumar s/o Chaman	Karachi	H# RC-4/445, Allahdita Street, Nairainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
05	06-A	Miss.Rekha Bai d/o Baboo	Karachi	H # 24, Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg: Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	06-B	Mr.Mukesh Kumar s/o Ramesh Kumar	Karachi	Masroor Colony near police station Hawakesbay Road Maripur Karachi.
06	07-A	Miss Lata d/o Jado	Karachi	H # 4/3, Street # 16-A Hangoorabad Rd Kalri Khi..
	07-B	Mr. BabooLal s/o Nanji	Karachi	H # 4, Queen’s Road Lalazar New Haji Camp Sultanabad Karachi.
07	08-A	Miss. Meena d/o Amarsi	Karachi	KMC Quarter # 7,Raja Mension Thana Near Civil Hospital Karachi.
	08-B	Mr. Rajesh s/o Mr Dhana	Karachi	KMC,Quarter Fire Brigade Office S.I.T.E.Karachi
08	09-A	Miss.Tara d/o Hatoo	Karachi	H # 8, K.M.C.Quarter Stadium Road cam Bella Slaughter House Karachi.
	09-B	Mr.Kanti s/o Laljee	Karachi	House # H-13, C.T.O.Compound Telegraph Office I.I.Chundrigar Road Karachi.
09	11-A	Miss.Chanda d/o Parshotumdas	Karachi	House # 25, Block-2, K.M.C.Compound # 16, Gizri Road Frere Town Clifton Karachi.
	11-B	Mr. Rajan s/o Mr.Govind	Karachi	House # 14, K.M.C.Quarter Clifton Bridge Clifton Karachi.
10	12-A	Miss. Rani d/o Bhaloo Kara	Karachi	House # 3104, Faiz Mohd: Silawat Para Hiraabad Hyderabad Sindh.
	12-B	Mr. Kishore s/o Ramesh Devji	Karachi	House # 17, Depot Line near Jahangir Park Saddar Karachi.
11	13-A	Miss. Jethy d/o Laljee	Karachi	Haji Yar Mohammad Building MOU JEE Street Gazddarabad Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	13-B	Mr. Govind s/o Premjee	Karachi	House # 2 MOU JEE street Ranchore Line Karachi.
12	14-A	Miss Gavri d/o Soomji	Murad.A.Pahod	Vill: Murad Ali Pahod P.O.Hangorno Tal:Sangher
	14-B	Mr. Bheroomal s/o Mr. Ranio	M.Hasan Kaloi	Vill: Mir Hasan Kaloi P.O.Soofiabad TaL;Degree District Mirpurkhas.
13	15-A	Miss.Keshoo d/o Veenjo	Q.Faiz M.Rajar	Vill:Qazi Faiz Mohd:Rajar Khipro Distt:Sangher.
	15-B	Mr.Dileep Kumar s/o Geno	Kathoro	Vill:Kathoro.P.O.Khahi Tal:Khipro Distt:Sangher.
14	16-A	Miss. Anjnee d/o Sajan	Phoolvero	Vill:Phoolvero Tal:NangarparkerDistt:Tharparker
	16-B	Mr.Naresh Kumar s/o Geno	Kathoro	Vill:Kathoro.P.O.Khahi Tal:Khipro Distt:Sangher.
15	17-A	Miss.Sunita d/o Chanda	Karachi	House # 4,Jat Line 100/Quarter Jamsheed Town Bolck-5,Karachi East.
	17-B	Mr. Ramesh  s/o Nathu	Karachi	House # 9,Depot Line 11,Ranchore Line Karachi…
16	18-A	Miss.Jamna d/o Maano	Bukera Shareef	Vill :Bukera Shareef Bakrani Distt :Tando Allhyar
	18-B	Mr.Heera Lal s/o Khanoo	Vill:PiyaroLund	Vill:Piayaro Lund Tal:& Distt:Tando Allahyar…..
17	19-A	Miss.Manika d/o Maano	Bukera Shareef	Vill :Bukera Shareef Bakrani Distt :Tando Allhyar
	19-B	Mr.Manglo s/o Bhamro	Vill:Khohi Mori	Village:Khohi Mori Tal:& Distt:Mirpurkhas Sindh
18	20-A	Miss.Bhagwatti d/o Mr.Pehlaj	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
	20-B	Mr.Sukhio s/o Bhagoo	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
19	21-A	Miss.piayari d/o Nanik	Zakri Jalalani	Village Pir Zakri Jalalani P.O.Sakrand Distt:Nawabshah.
	21-B	Mr.Preem s/o Pehlaj	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
20	22-A	Miss.Anita d/o Mr.Faqueera	Karachi	House # 3,Gali NO:1,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road,Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	22-B	Mr.Kanti s/o Amrat	Karachi	House # 11,Servant Quarter Naval Colony Karachi
21	23-A	Miss.Lachmi d/o Laljee	Karachi	House # 4/278,MOU JEE Street,Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	23-B	Mr.Mukesh s/o (Late)Mr Rama	Karachi	House # 4/32,Reti Line Ranchore Lane Karachi…..
22	31-A	Miss.Rajnee d/o (Late)Narain	Karachi	Juna Mohilla Gali No:1Hangorabad Lyari Karachi
	31-B	Mr.Sunny s/o Late Mr.Vinod	Karachi	Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road PhoolPatti Lane Kalri Lyari Karachi.
23	32-A	Miss Deepa Bai d/o Shamjee	Karachi	House # 18,PN.T.Housing Society Nasir Colony, Korangi Karachi.
	32-B	Mr.Sham Magan s/o Late Vasanti	Karachi	House # 101, Raja Mension Civil Hospital Karachi..
24	33-A	Miss.Komal d/o Sahjee Aaljee	Karachi	House # 18,PN.T.Housing Society Nasir Colony, Korangi Karachi.
	33-B	Mr.Shanti Lal s/o Mr.Sana	Karachi	House # 0449, KESC, Mohilla Mohd:Ali Store Tekri Village Maripur Karachi.
25	34-A	Miss.Sunita d/o Mr .Kalyanjee	Karachi	House # 02,Kharadar Police Station Karachi South
	34-B	Mr.Suneel Kumar s/o Chunoomal	Karachi	Doud Bldg:Miran Naka Fire Brigade Gali Karachi.
26	35-A	Miss Rena Bai d/o Lovejee	Karachi	House # 11, KMC Quarter Ram swami Tower Gazdarabad, Karachi.
	35-B	Mr.Manoj s/o widow Rami Bai	Karachi	Quarter # 01, Police Hospital Servant Quarter Mesa Mile Road, Jubilee Cinema Karachi.
27	36-A	Miss. Somal d/o Lovejee	Karachi	House # 11, KMC Quarter Ram swami Tower Gazdarabad, Karachi.
	36-B	Mr. Manoj s/o Late Mr.Nathu	Karachi	House No: 202, Swami Narain Temple M.A.Jinnah Road, Karachi.
28	37-A	Miss.Vijanti  d/o Late Vessaram	Karachi	KMC, Compound Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	37-B	Mr.Natwer Lal s/o LateMr.Baboo	Karachi	House #A 10,Mukhi Choaithram Road,Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
29	38-A	Miss. Sonam d/o Hiralal	Karachi	House # 07, Street # 5, Kala Kot Quarters Degree College Layari Karachi.
	38-B	Mr. Anil s/o Preemjee	Karachi	House # 07, Street # 5, Kala Kot Quarters Degree College Layari Karachi.
30	44-A	Miss. Aarti d/o Ramesh	Karachi	Servant Quarter Jamsheed Road No: 3, Karachi.
	44-B	Mr. Narash s/o Mr.Natha	Karachi	House # 113, Allah wale Mosque PWD, Sadder Karachi.
31	45-A	Miss. Muskan d/o Preem Jee	Karachi	House # 11,Fahter Colony Greeks Maripur Karachi.
	45-B	Mr. Manoj Kumar s/o Shanker	Karachi	House # A-699, Father Colony Greeks Maripur Karachi.

DADI JANKI KIRPLANI

Dadi Janki is a visionary whose uniqueness lies in her unswerving optimism and a heart that is rich with compassion. She is a soul who refuses to set limits and boundaries as to what is achievable and, in so doing, inspires others to believe that they too can make the impossible, possible. As a spiritual leader, she pioneered the integration of healthy emotional, spiritual and social development within education.

She travels worldwide, teaching and sharing her wisdom and deep knowledge of the science of spirituality. Driven by her vision of a better world, Dadi Janki has dedicated her life to the upliftment of humanity. She campaigns for truth and works tirelessly for world peace. She is a woman of wisdom - a woman who in her life, through understanding spiritual truths, has come to a position of personal peace and power.

Dadi Janki, being companion of God, sees only the goodness of each human being, awakening people to fulfill their highest potential. Dadi has pioneered, exemplified and shared with countless numbers of people a structured and disciplined method of spiritual development that has had a profound impact on the lives of millions across the world.

With an unrelenting search for honesty and cleanliness in her relationship with God as the cornerstone of her life of service, so that her being as well as words should reveal the Divine, Dadi Janki developed an inspiring vision of the unique potential of every human being. This has enabled her to become a highly effective spiritual entrepreneur.

Dadi Janki was born in 1916 in Hyderabad Sindh, in a very traditional community.  However, by her early 20s she had disregarded the constraints of social conventions including the caste system, and became one of the few active women spiritual leaders. 

Under her guidance and inspiration centers of the institution now has branches in over 130 countries world-wide.  Throughout her many years of work, Dadi has provided guidance and support for many, counseling them in a variety of areas, including emotional and psychological problems, family relationships and substance abuse.  She works for an integral approach of education to include healthy emotional, spiritual, creative and social development.

Dadi was described as the “Most Stable Mind in the World” as her mental state remained completely undisturbed whilst under tests conducted by the Medical and Science Research Institute at the University of Texas, USA in 1978.

At Habitat II, the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, Dadi addressed world governments about the crucial need for people-centered development and the pivotal role of human and spiritual values in survival.

Dadi is one of the ‘Keepers of Wisdom’, an eminent group of spiritual and religious leaders, convened at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio and at Habitat II in Istanbul, to advice on the fundamental spiritual dilemmas which underpin current worldwide issues of the environment and human settlement.

In 1997, the ‘Janki Foundation for Global Health Care’ was established and launched in her honour in London.  Through this, Dadi has sought to encourage many others in what has been a passion since her childhood, to care for and nurse the sick, aiding not just the healing of the body but also the healing of the soul.

Together with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, HH the Dalai Lama and Prince Hassan of Jordan, Dadi is an international Patron of Rights and Humanity, an organization promoting respect for human rights as a foundation for global economic and social justice and human development.  Dadi is also a Global Council Member of the International Museum of Women.

Dadi has promoted inter-religious understanding and co-operation throughout her life.  She is a Patron of the World Congress of Faiths and a member of The World Council of Religious Leaders and The Global Peace Initiative of Women.

In 2004 His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan awarded Dadi Janki, “the Grand Cordon” of the first order of Al Istiklal (Jordan’s highest civil award) in recognition of her humanitarian service to the world.
In 2005 The Peace Abbey presented Dadi Janki with the 2005 Courage of Conscience Award for a lifetime dedicated to the service of humanity.
Dadi Janki’s published books include Companion of God, Wings of Soul, and Pearls of Wisdom.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar
Patron Pakistan Hindu Council
Ex. MPA Sindh

41 Hindu couples tie knot in Pakistan

Pakistan Hindu Council has organised a mass wedding, where more than 40 Hindu couples have got married in traditional way.

Source: http://www.mynews.in

41 Hindu couples tie the knot
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
By Rabia Ali

While Pooja and Deepak nervously held each other’s hands, and slowly took the wedding ‘Pheras’ at the YMCA Lawns, 41 other couples also performed the ritual at their respective Mandaps, in the biggest Hindu mass wedding in the city.

The event, where poor Hindu couples were married for free, was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council. The enormous lush green YMCA lawn was transformed into a group of Mandaps for the couples; each Mandap was decorated with garlands and draped in purple and yellow. Inside, sat the brides dressed in red Saris, and the grooms in golden Sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords.

Ach couple was allowed 10 guests, who accompanied them inside the Mandap. In front of the couples sat tables full of things for the wedding Pooja, including a coconut mounted on the Kalash, Jal, flowers, rice, almonds, Supari, incense sticks, earthen pots, and fire logs.

“This is second mass-wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples,” Pakistan Hindu Council Patron Ramesh Kumar told The News. “DIG Ghulam Nabi Memon helped the council in providing security for the wedding.”

Kumar also said that this time that couples from Interior Sindh were also selected for the ceremony.

In one of the Mandaps, a groom, Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Ranchore Line, was extremely delighted by the arrangements and said that the Moorat was a blessed one for all the couples. His face radiated with happiness, and he excitedly said, “I had decided a long time ago, that I would get married under a blessed Moorat, which comes only once a year.” His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass-wedding was a good way to disperse all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family. “I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives,” she said.

Some 5,000 guests were seated between the Mandaps. Meanwhile, two Maharajs, Jay Kumar and Ravi Mahraj, seated on the centre stage recited verses and guided the couples, their families and the volunteers present in each Mandap.

The one-and-a-half-hour ceremony started with the recitals, along with praises to the Hindu Gods, followed by the Varun Pooja and Ganesh Pooja. At the end, much to the audience’s surprise, the Mahraj called for only four Pheras. “There are only four pheras in the Hindu religion and not seven. People mistake the seven Wachans, meaning seven vows for the Pheras,” he said.

The event was attended by the former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas, Advisor to Chief Minister Sharmila Farooqi, and other notable personalities, including Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and Jahangeer Siddiqi. The guests gave away shawls and copies of the Gita, along with other presents, to the couples and wished them good luck.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the Women’s Wing of the Pakistan Hindu Council told The News that all expenses for the event were borne by the council; the cost of each couple’s wedding was approximately Rs70,000. “We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was asked from the government,” Sharma said.

A newly-married couple, Lakhshmi and Kishore, who had come from all the way from Thatta said that this was an extremely happy moment for them. ‘We had been in love for a long time, and now our dream has come true, because we have celebrated our happiness with so many other couples,’ they said.

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk

41 Hindu couples tie the knot in Pakistan

Karachi, Nov 10 - Over 40 Hindu couples have got married at a mass wedding here. The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council.

Council patron Ramesh Kumar told The News: "This is second mass wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples."

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: "I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year."

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

"I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives," she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women's wing of the council, said the cost for each couple's wedding was approximately Rs. 70,000.

Sharma said: "We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government." (IANS)

Source: http://www.topnews.in

Pakistan’s 42 Hindu couples tie the knot

After the success of the first Hindu mass wedding in Karachi last year, 42 couples came together from different parts of Sindh to tie the knot this year. While most of them belonged to Karachi, couples came from as far as Nawabshah, Daharki, Dighri, Thatta, and Hyderabad among other districts of Sindh. The event was organised by Pakistan Hindu Council at the YMCA ground on Sunday evening and all the expenses were borne by the council members to help the less privileged members of their community. (Text: Aroosa Masroor Photos: Tahir Jamal/ White Star)
Twenty-two year old Prem Kumar and his 18-year old wife, Pyari, who was also his cousin, came from Qazi Aman in Nawabshah along with three other couples from their family.

‘We read about the mass wedding in a local paper in Nawabshah. There were quite a few couples in our family who had been engaged so we thought of bringing them all here as it would reduce our expenses to a great extent,’ said the groom’s uncle, Puran Das.

Since the bride and groom’s family were instructed to invite only 10 guests each, Das said by registering four couples they were able to bring 80 of their close relatives with them to Karachi.

A wedding in Nawabshah would have normally cost them over Rs100,000, but purchasing bus tickets for the entire baraat only cost them Rs20, 000.

Apart from the bride and groom’s clothes, the families did not have to spend a single paisa on anything.

From the wedding meal to the bride’s jewellery and dowry, the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) made all the arrangements. ‘We're giving them a bedroom set, television, some kitchen utensils, washing machine and jewellery. Gold is quite expensive these days, so we have bought silver jewellery for all the brides instead,’ disclosed former MPA Dr Ramesh Kumar and patron PHC.

There were 44 mandaps arranged on either side of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) lawn, while the guests – approximately 2,000 in number – were seated in the center. Two couples, however, could not make it to the wedding.

The pundit (priest) spoke through a microphone and the bride and groom followed his instructions with the help of volunteers from the community. Over 30 volunteers were present to assist the families.

Some grooms were also made to hold a sword before the four rounds or pheras began, which is merely symbolic. ‘In the Meghwar community, the groom is considered no less than a prince,’ informed Bhagwati.

Another groom, Mukesh Kumar, who belonged to Karachi, was here to avoid family feuds. ‘We belong to the Meghwar community and are expected to invited all our community members,’ Mukesh’s sister, Bhagwati, told Dawn.com.

‘But my brother is a driver by profession and earns only Rs5, 000 a month. We couldn’t afford a lavish wedding so decided to register here. Only close relatives were invited. This way we won’t have to listen to everyone’s complaints.’

The mass wedding also provided an opportunity for various communities to interact and look for prospective brides and grooms.

‘I am here to look for a girl for my brother,’ said one.

Among the communities present were Gujrati, Marwari, Meghwar, Kohli and Lalwani, who are mostly less privileged among the Hindus in Pakistan.

Tight security arrangements were made at the lawn entrance and all the guests – especially those from outside Karachi – were thoroughly checked by security officials.

‘We were asked to be seated by 5:00pm and the wedding started at 8:00pm! Such events are tiring especially for guests who travel hundreds of kilometres only not to offend the host,’ said one guest, Ajini.

Some politicians including Mirza Ikhtiar Baig of the PPP and Advisor to CM Sindh Sharmila Farooqi were also present to bless the couples on the occasion.

Source: http://www.dawn.com

41 Hindu couples tie the knot in Pakistan
Karachi, Nov 10 (IANS) Over 40 Hindu couples have got married at a mass wedding here. The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council.
Council patron Ramesh Kumar told The News: “This is second mass wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples.”

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: “I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year.”

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

“I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives,” she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women’s wing of the council, said the cost for each couple’s wedding was approximately Rs.70,000.

Sharma said: “We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government.”

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/41-hindu-couples-tie-the-knot-in-pakistan_100272487.html#ixzz0ZefCA1FI

Hindu Council,Pakistan,Eases Marriage Expenses For 42 Couples

DAWN newspaper reported about the combined marriages of 42 couples belonging to the Hindu Community over the weekend.

Couples from all parts of small and big cities of the Sindh Province came to Karachi and were joined in holy matrimony according to the Hindu Custom of Marriage.All expenses were borne by the members of the Pakistan Hindu Council.This enabled the less priveledged of their community to have a befitting wedding.

The ceremony was held on Sunday at the Y.M.C.A.grounds.

20 Hindu couples tie the knot in Karachi
Twenty-five mandaps were arranged around a raised platform. The purohit spoke into a public address system while the bride and groom followed his instructions.

What made the occasion momentous for 20 Hindu families who had travelled to Karachi for Saturday’s mass wedding at the Swami Narayan Mandir was the incentive— they didn’t have to pay a single paisa. The Pakistan Hindu Council picked the tab.

Eighteen years after social worker Shamji Bijalo married off his Karachi-born daughter to cousins in Jamnagar, Gujarat, she was back in the port city.

This time, Bijalo’s grandson Manesh Manoharlal Dru, a daily wages labourer in Jamnagar, was accompanying her. Dru was in Karachi to marry 18-year-old Kanda Bai, a distant cousin. “My daughter was looking for a Karachi girl for a bahu,” says
Bijalo, a former employee of the Karachi Water Board.

In another mandap sat a Bheel family from Umarkot, Sindh, accompanied by family friend Husain Ali Shah. “I have come with my neighbours to offer moral support,” says Shah, a landlord.

Husain Ali, from a Syed family, said his presence means the world to the Hindus he accompanied. “In the eyes of God, we are all one.”

The Council, a representative body of Hindus, said the initiative will help hundreds of lower income families living in Karachi and other parts of Sindh survive the inflationary conditions in Pakistan.

Spiralling prices of essential commodities and expenses had forced many to put off their children’s weddings.

Said Bijal: “Never in my life have I seen such a good gesture. I have saved over Rs 150, 000.”

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com

Team constituted to investigate burning of holy books
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday constituted a high-level investigation team to probe into the incident of setting ablaze holy books of Hindus and Sikhs in Kandhkot.

The government took this step after police authorities of district Kashmore failed to arrest the culprits involved in burning the books. Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sindh, Dr Mohan Lal Kohistani will head this fact-finding mission, whereas minority MPAs Saleem Khurshed Khokhar and Pitamber Sewani would assist him as members of the committee. It is pertinent to mention that on September 5, some unidentified miscreants set ablaze religious books of Sikhs and Hindus in a mutual temple, the Guru Nanak Darbar at Kandhkot, in the northern district of the province. The incident panicked the Hindus and Sikhs throughout the province and Pakistan Hindu Foundation issued a call for three-day mourning, after which Hindus observed a shutter down strike in different districts of the province.

“The culprits would not be forgiven at any cost and the Sindh government would soon put these miscreants behind the bars,” announced Kohistani. Addressing an emergency press conference at his office in Sindh Secretariat building with minority MPAs Saleem Khurshed Khokhar, Pitamber Sewani and others, Kohistani condemned the incident and said some miscreants just want to create panic among the religious minorities, but Sindh government assures the Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities that they would be protected at every level.

“I have personally talked to the Sindh chief minister and he has assured that he would ensure justice with Sikhs for which the CM is in constant contact with IG, RPO and DPO concerned for the arrest of culprits and the CM has also directed home secretary and IG Sindh to conduct inquiry into the matter and submit the report within three-day time,” he said.

Chairman Sikh Naujwan Sabha Sardar Ramjesh Sigh, Vice Chairman Sardar Jagjit Singh and others condemned the incident and demanded of the government of Pakistan to help the Hindus and Sikhs to arrest the culprits involved in the incident.

Leading organisation of Pakistani Hindus, the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) is observing three-day mourning. “We believe that DPO Kashmore is behind these incidents, so we demand President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to lodge the FIR against DPO Kashmore,” said PHC president D M Maharaj. In a press statement, Provincial Home Minister Sindh Dr Zulfqar Mirza has directed police authorities to protect the religious minorities and their holy places. In another press statement MQM MPA Dr Haragun Das condemned the Kandhkot incident and has demanded immediate arrest of the culprits behind the incident.

Pakistan Hindu Council says Hindus feeling insecure
March 30, 2007, 00:00 IST
Karachi, March 30: The Pakistan Hindu Council today said Hindus living in Sindh province are feeling insecure due to rising cases of kidnapping and murder of the people from their community.

It appealed to President Pervez Musharraf to take notice and direct authorities to provide protection and take measures to recover kidnapped Hindus from Sakrand, Kashmore and Jacobabad.

"More recently a Hindu businessman, Ashok Kumar Kohistani, has been kidnapped from Sakrand. Police is not registering the case as yet and have not been able to arrest the outlaws. The victim's family does not have enough money to pay the ransom," Visharam Tharwani, general secretary of the council, said in a statement.