A CORRESPONDENT
DHUBRI: The fifth mass marriage of 19 couples of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts including five Divyang (physically challenged) was solemnized under the auspices of Dhubri Kalibari Trustee Board here at the temple premises on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla expressed happiness over organizing the mass marriage programme on behalf of the poverty-stricken families who otherwise could hardly afford the expenditure of the social marriage.
"It is the first occasion where I am witnessing a mass marriage and it is also a rare and memorable moment for me. I am standing in the temple of Goddess Kali and pray to the goddess to bless all the couples. I wish them a happy conjugal life," Barla said. He also presented one Chandan seedling and a gold ring to each couple with good wishes and blessings.
Dhubri Additional Deputy Commissioner Nityananda Wari, while addressing the meeting, appreciated the move of Kalibari Trustee Board for organizing the mass marriage. BTC chief Promod Boro who was invited to this occasion, could not attend but sent Executive Member of BTC, Dr. DN Das with gift for each couple.
Earlier, Treasurer of Kalibari Trustee Board, Arabinda Paul explained the objective of the meeting while social activist Suchibrata Singha Choudhury briefly focussed how the mass marriages were being organized by Kalibari Trustee Board and obviously with the contribution of generous people of Dhubri since 2016.
Talking to The Sentinel, convener of the mass marriage ceremony under the Dhubri Kalibari Trustee Board, Dipankar Mazumdar informed that all the newly-married couples were gifted with household items worth Rs. 45,000 each.
"The items include a steel bed with cushion, blanket and pillows, utensils, pressure cookers, steel almirah, a set of ornaments including gold chain, gold ring, earrings, bags and boxes. Total expenditure incurred was around Rs 9 lakh," Mazumdar added.
The mass marriage programme was also attended by Superintendent of Police, Abhijit Gaurav Dilip, former Dhubri district BJP president Dr Debamoy Sanyal and other dignitaries. On this occasion, a song and dance programme was presented by a socio-cultural organization, Nityangan.
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