At last, Deepika Padukone and Ranvir Singh are married. The media, be it social, print or electronic, was giving the public, minute-by-minute information on the wedding that happened last week. We were fed with detailed coverage on who wore what and by which hi-profile designer it was designed, the different locations of the various wedding ceremonies and receptions, the lucky pundit who conducted the wedding rituals, the food, the invitees etc. The newspapers, news channels and entertainment sites went on an overdrive with the marriage trivia as if it was a life and death situation.
Next week, we should be ready with a replay of the same, this time with the wedding details of yet another actress Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
However, all this drama is unfortunately setting a wrong precedent amongst the youngsters who are trying to emulate their matinee idols. No wonder, we see youngsters indulging in destination weddings, designer outfits, high profile guest lists, which calls for a vulgar display of wealth. This is evident in many weddings that we attend.
However, in contrast to this, I was pleasantly surprised to attend one simple wedding ceremony last week. We were invited for the wedding at 5 pm. After the wedding the guests were served with ice-cream after which they dispersed. No lunch, no dinner or unnecessary riff raff.
Didn’t such marriages happen until a few years back where guests were served with ice cream and a snack or two, which put no financial burden on the couple or their families? Less time, less money and less energy was spent on planning dream weddings, food, clothes and entertaining the guests.
This brings me back to the present where people are spending enormous time and money on marriages. It is most scary when people have no qualms in taking huge loans for grand marriages even if they cannot afford them.
At such times, I feel the media should highlight simple marriages, which brings out the essence of a beautiful bond. The entire purpose of marriage is beautiful and needs to be explored and discussed among the youth. Weddings should not be mere show of wealth but an example of two individuals and families bonding in a relationship of love and trust. Isn’t It?
