Page 190 - SocialHarmony

194 Social Harmony

the group weddings. So, in a group wedding where 105
marriages take place, the organizers are paid ` 1.05 lakh. We
have also started another programme to eradicate the evil of
dowry system. It is called, “Mata Ramabai Saat Phera Saamuhik
Vivah Yojna”. According to this programme, the organizers of
group weddings get financial help of ` 10,000 per couple that
participates. Apart from this, the couples also get ` 5,000 in the
form of, “Shri Nidhi Bond”. This programme was started in 2001
and by the end of 2005, ` 145.01 lakhs were given away for 2913
weddings. ` 161.85 lakhs were given away for 3617 weddings
of the girls belonging to the Bakshi Panch and ` 59.27 lakhs
were paid for 1110 weddings of young people from the
scheduled tribes. If we carry on like this, we can save a lot of
money which can then be utilized for the progress of our society.

Indian mothers do not believe in giving education to their
daughters. They take it for granted that the girl has to take care
of her husband and her in-laws anyway, so what’s the point in
educating her? It is my humble request to all the mothers that
you must educate your daughters. The time when women were
only housewives has passed. Now is the time when women
work efficiently in offices. Moreover, education is vital even if
they have to stay back and take care of the house. It is essential
for progress, and it is the right of girls to make progress. If you
don’t educate your children, how will they educate their own
children? Therefore, you need to educate your daughter. I will
be the happiest person when I will learn about the education of
the children of the shepherd community and I am sure this
community can change its future in just five to ten years.