At a time when the people of Delhi are struggling to fight against an order to cut over 15,000 trees to make way for a housing complex, and brides' families are troubled over payment of dowry, the act of one man from Odisha brings hope.
In a unique request, a 33-year-old teacher from Kendrapara district in Odisha, Saroj Kanta Biswal, demanded a dowry of 1,001 saplings. The eco-conscious teacher, who describes himself as a nature lover, Biswal said, “I was opposed to dowry system in marriages. Besides, I am a nature lover right from my childhood days. That's why I had insisted on receiving 1,001 saplings of fruit-bearing trees.”
And as promised, Biswal was gifted 1,001 saplings by the bride's family when the marriage was solemnised on Saturday.
In addition to the green act, Biswal had also requested that the wedding be a noise-free affair. There was no band party and firecrackers that are a usual fixture in Indian weddings.
“My spouse Rashmirekha Paitala is also a school teacher and she is quite happy over my decision to refuse dowry and receive saplings instead,” Biswal said.
With inputs from PTI