Arjun Munda’s Kanyadan Yojana has inspired the Sikh community of the steel city to organise a community wedding

Jamshedpur, June 6: Taking a cue from the state government’s much-publicised Kanyadan Yojana, the Sikh community of the city is gearing up for a similar kind of event in the steel city.

Under the Kanyadaan Yojana, the state government financially helped poor girls to get married. The event took place in all districts across the state.

“The city will witness the first Sikh community marriage this month, along the lines of Kanyadaan Yojana of the state government. The Central Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (CGPC), the Sikh apex body in the city, is organising the event,” said the president of CGPC Sardar Shailendra Singh.

At a meeting held here today, the members of the CGPC decided about the details of the event.

“We are gearing up for the event. We have not selected the date but it would take place this month,” Singh said.

The CGPC members would also be meeting the deputy commissioner Sunil Kumar Burnwal to seek his support.

“We would request the deputy commissioner to help the newly-wed couples,” Singh said, adding that the date for the event would be finalised after consultation with the district administration.

The marriage would take place at the Sakchi gurudwara.

The CGPC members said they have closely monitored the Kanyadan yojana launched by the state government.

“The scheme is helpful as it not only helps hassle-free marriage but also shuns the system of dowry,” they said. “We hope to make this an annual event,” they added.

A delegation of the CGPC members met the chief minister Arjun Munda last week to seek suggestions about the scheme.

“Munda lauded our initiative and promised all assistance to make the event a success. He has also promised to grace the function. The organisers have decided to make him the chief guest,” said a member of the delegation.

Singh said all the gurudwaras of the city have been asked to contribute for the community marriage. They are also expected to present gifts and other financial help to the newly-weds.

“We have also asked the gurduwaras to identify and prepare a list of the needy people within our community who would be benefited by the scheme. We have already received more than 70 applications, from which we have shortlisted 35 couples based on their age and financial status,” the chief of the CGPC said.