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Group Weddings: A Novel Revolution 211

There is power in a group decision. If you want to see this
power, take the example of the Thakor community who arrange
such marriages. Often elders create hindrances when we plan
group marriages. They tend to think that they know best, and
that the modern methods are not really the way of life that they
have seen. They believe that if they have been invited by people
in society for a marriage or a meal, it becomes imperative for
them to invite those people as well. Thus, they plan for feast. In
case people cannot afford such unnecessary expenses, they feel
low about themselves and avoid joining the celebrations.
Actually, it is not that those who join group weddings are poor,
but rather they emerge as superior. Merely sitting at a high
position in society doesn’t make person superior. Money is not
the only criterion to judge supremacy! If a person is happy with
the prosperity of society, if he is filled with grief at the problems
of society, then such a person is indeed superior.

A New Trend which Deserves to be Congratulated

It is difficult to leave supremacy. People who have left their
supremacy and tried to match their steps with society should
be congratulated, especially if they have set a trend while being
with the society. Many times, it happens that after attending
such group marriages our friends and relatives expect to get
treat from us as they have treated us in the past. Our society
can’t afford this. We cannot afford to arrange such parties twice.
I request those 101 couples who are getting married at this group
wedding to convince their parents from abstaining to do so. If
you have a strong desire to arrange other feasts, there will be
many good occasions in the future when it can be done. Our
State Government is encouraging the efforts made to stop such
unnecessary expenses so that a resolution can be brought to
our society. This is an effort of the government to support the
downtrodden who would otherwise incur huge debts and ruin
their lives forever.

Our society has started accepting inter-caste and group
marriages. This change is not for bringing about a revolution in
society. This is to bring a rejuvenation to expand society and