Wedding trend has transformed radically, should continue

Do you think the current wedding trend should continue even post-Covid?

Social movement is need of the hour

Reducing the capacity of guests in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak is a good decision of the Punjab Government. Though it’s a temporary decision, its outcome is encouraging in a state where big fat wedding is a common feature. Lots of money is spent to solemnise weddings. Once the pandemic is tackled, Punjabis will be back to merry making. In certain scenarios, people take loan on exorbitant interest rates to organise big events. It is a classic case of peer pressure and outdoing neighbours to show their superiority. However, livelihood of lakhs of people is directly and indirectly attached with wedding industry. Thus there should be no curbs on celebrations once the life gets back to normal. A social movement should be started to make people aware of not spending too much on wedding of their kids. Forcible implementation won’t bring any positive result.

JS Wadhwa

Micro weddings should be new normal

Covid-19 outbreak and imperative lockdown has not only radically transformed wedding trends in the country, but have also hit the entire sector, including planners, caterers, jewellers, hospitality, catering, florists, disc jockeys, and transporters. The pandemic has proved out to be a dampener for high class and a blessing in disguise for the middle class. Apprehensive about safety, some couples have postponed or cancelled their weddings till the situation improves, while others have decided to move ahead with limited guests and celebrations. They have either swapped the traditional customs with online ceremonies or have chosen simple marriage in the august company of their family members. It is good that big fat Punjabi weddings lasting for days — pre-wedding photography, band, massive crowd, cocktails and dance events — have taken a back seat. Social distancing norm will certainly impact India’s traditional wedding scene in the future as well. One hopes that micro weddings become a new normal in the post-Covid-19 period. Endowed with a more practical outlook, youth should adopt a novel approach to wedding. Unlike the well-to-do who unabashedly indulge in an ostentatious display of wealth, taste and generosity as a sign of strength and prestige in society, families of brides and grooms should not succumb to societal pressure. Rather, they should opt for long-term investment plans to secure the future of their kids. This will provide relief to poor parents, who exhaust their lifetime savings or even take loans, which they keep on repaying for years.

DS Kang

simple weddings should continue

The trend of simple wedding ceremonies in the wake of the pandemic is a heartening gesture in otherwise pensive scenario. Though we are facing unprecedented times due the Covid-19, yet there is a silver lining when it comes to micro weddings. What social movements and reformers could not achieve from a long period, the virus has done it within a short span of time. Even laws enacted to check wasteful expenditure on weddings failed to bring desired results. One can only hope that the current trend stays in our society even after the Covid-19 is tackled. Huge gatherings with unlimited expenditure on ceremonies have evolved into a social evil, which defies the basic spirit of marriage and oneness among couples.

Jagdish Chander

Youth should shun lavish ceremonies

The lockdown imposed in the wake of the Covid-19 contagion has changed the trend and put a brake on lavish weddings. It has happened for good as people waste money during marriages just to show their status in society. Wastage of food, water and noise pollution are some of the sad stories associated with big fat weddings. People who cannot afford lavish ceremonies often take loan or borrow money and as they fail to return the amount, their life becomes a nightmare and they crumble under pressure and mounting debt. Marriage is a lifelong commitment and money has no role to play in its success. Youth should come forward and pledge not to spend unnecessary on weddings. Simple weddings should be a common feature as restrictions on number of guests are for a limited time to curb the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shashi Kiran

QUESTION

The three agricultural laws, which the Centre claims to be long-pending reforms, are being opposed by farmers. Do you think the farmers are justified and the Centre must have a rethink?

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