The wedding of Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi’s son on December 3, and it indeed broke all the stereotypes and set an unprecedented example by keeping a special stall to promote the cause of organ donation at his wedding venue.
At the very first, the family chose the ever so booming digital platform to spread this happy news by only sending across E- Invites. The medium used was WhatsApp to share with their near and dear ones and to inform them about the details of the wedding as well.
The marriage venue was the same as where Sushil Kumar Modi threw his wedding reception in mid-80s when he was a student leader. Sushil Kumar Modi, whose marriage to a Christian girl Jesse George created much flutter then, recalled that all top BJP leaders had attended his marriage function.
Utkarsh Kumar, who strongly criticises the practice of dowry, had urged people to not attend wedding ceremonies where dowry is taken. “Do not participate in a marriage ceremony where you have come to know that dowry has been taken,” Utkarsh Kumar, had said addressing a function on the 126th birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. Even the E- Invite mentions that there would be no dowry that would take place.
The stalls were a huge success as they received more than 150 registrations for organ donation, and over 300 people took the oath to not accept dowries during marriage.
The wedding did not have the traditional ‘baraat’ songs, and instead anti-dowry songs were played. Rather than putting up the usual food stalls in wedding, Modi chose to offer tea and packets containing four Naivedya laddoos that had a ‘Swachh Bharat’ message. The guests were also requested that they dispose of the packets in the dustbin.
Modi has been consistently working towards awareness regarding organ donation, as it is an issue that many are unaware of in the state. This initiative to replace gifts with organ donation pledges can prove to be extremely useful for spreading awareness about the cause.
The stall had pamphlets and banners to encourage guests at the wedding to make organ donations. The guests who wished to make donations in future were also provided with forms.
It indeed was an extremely powerful initiative and a wedding day was not only made happier for the Bride and the Groom but also to several other people that would benefit because of their contribution.