A mass marriage programme of tribal and surrendered Naxal youths has been organised on March 13 at Gadchiroli at 10 am jointly by Maitree Parivar Sastha and Gadchiroli Police Department.
As many as 117 couples, including 16 surrendered naxal couples, would tie nuptial knot in the mass marriage ceremony to be held at Abhinav Lawns, Chandrapur Road, Gadchiroli. The couples will reach to the venue from a nearby ground in procession. Policemen searched for the tribal boys and girls by visiting different villages in this Naxal-infested district for mass wedding ceremony.
Maitree Parivar Sanstha has adopted Gadchiroli district with the objective of bringing the residents into the mainstream of the society so that they live a life free from terror and violence.
This was stated by Prof Sanjay Bhende, president of the sanstha, while addressing a press conference at Press Club here on Monday. He said that the sanstha and department would provide the couples clothes, gold mangalsutra, silver pair of Rings (Jodve), household appliances, utensils, shoes, chappals, lodging, boarding etc. The marriages would be solemnised according to tribal tradition, he added.
In response to an appeal made by the sanstha, philanthropists responded positively by raising funds and taking care of the newly-wedded couples for one year. This is the fourth year for organising such a programme, Bhende pointed out.
Sandeep Patil, DIG, Gadchiroli range, said that the police and sanstha would make efforts to provide employment to tribal youths in order to make them self-reliant. Around 4,000 youths got employment last year. Efforts are also being made for them to set up small units on agriculture/forest minor produce, Patil added.
Patil will inaugurate the ceremony while Ankit Goel, SP. Sameer Shaikh, Somay Munde, Anuj Tare, all Addl SPs, Gangadhar Dhage and Dr Shivnath Kumbhare, social worker, would be the guests of honour.
Prof Pramod Pendke and Niranjan Wasekar were present at the press conference.
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