Marriage Ceremony..

Soon after the engagement of his son, Shyam worried a lot, thinking about whether the marriage function would be a nice happy event or not, to remember forever. The marriage date was fast approaching and many preparations were needed before, he thought. The marriage was to be solemnized in a village temple, in the presence of close relatives.

They had arranged a spacious hall to conduct other major functions, including a grand feast to all invitees.

Shyam and his wife Radha had to make some arrangements, for the marriage, as they were the bridegroom’s family. As their family was settled for years in a city, far away from their village, they felt like outsiders in their own village. They had to depend on somebody from the village, for everything, as various local vendors were not known to them. Their relatives who were settled in the village were of good help, in the hour of need.

Shyam’s family chalked out the entire plan of preparations for the marriage and discussed with their son and finalized the programme.

First, they made out a list of activities to be organized, in a diary and amended it several times, including those actions needed, which were left out from the list.

Shyam discussed the same with his brother and other close relatives, to get into the final shape of the plan and started delegating each work to the dedicated in-charge, selected for the purpose. A relative at a village helped him by giving the contact number of vendors, at the village.

Shyam went to his home, six months before the date of marriage and had discussions with various vendors, for finalization of each contract. He made all necessary arrangements in advance for the ensuing grand function. Preparatory works like the minor repair of the house, plumbing, and electrical rectifications, wherever required, were got it done. After a new coat of paint, their home looked more graceful for the occasion.

Shyam reviewed periodically, the future actions needed for the purpose. Purchase of special dresses for the groom, relatives and the whole family members, was done.

Wedding card was designed by his brother in law and hence it was made available without any delay. It was sent by post and by courier, to the relatives and friends who were settled at far off places, first, and then to the persons settled in the city. It was sent through mail and what’sapp. They personally visited the homes of old relatives and invited them, especially for the function. They distributed the invitation cards also to them, as per the custom prevailed.

The caterer was finalized and so also the menu for the feast for the previous night and for the marriage day. Necessary advance money was also paid so that they could plan their work accordingly.

Necessary funds were withdrawn from the dedicated account, opened for the marriage expenses of their son. Carrying two-three debits cards were sufficient enough to withdraw funds from the respective accounts, wherever they were camped.

Hotel rooms were booked for invitees’ convenient stay, especially for those who came from outside the village. A vehicle was also hired for a couple of days. It was used for picking up and dropping guests who travelled by train and by air.

Most of the invited guests attended the auspicious occasion of the marriage, as expected and as such no wastage of food was noticed.

Two of his colleagues, who were close friends for more than three decades, also graced the occasion, by attending the marriage of his son. Shyam considered their act, as a matter of pride for himself, created nostalgic feeling in him. But some invitees could not attend the function, due to some unavoidable circumstances, at the last moment.   

Everything went off smoothly according to their plan. The function was concluded without any issues.

On the very next day, the newly married couple left for their overseas honeymoon trip. After settling all pending bills relating to the marriage, Shyam and his wife returned to their home, with a long sigh of relief.

He realized then that reasons for most of the worries in life were unfounded, if we act systematically and in a time-bound manner.

But the fact remains that people still do worry unnecessarily for silly things, in their daily life. 

                                                                 

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