Demonetisation: Wedding feast gives way to tea party

Bhopal: A marriage ceremony held in district headquarters town of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday saw humble tea, not sumptuous delicacies, treating uncomplaining guests. Kapil Rathore and Antimbala had decided to go for a simple marriage when they failed to arrange money to meet expenses of their earlier plan owing to current cash crunch triggered by demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes.

The couple got the marriage registered at a local court in Ratlam on Saturday and tied the nuptial knot at a temple on Sunday in a simple ceremony, where the guests were treated only with tea, according to N. Sorma, one of the groom's relatives. "The couple was blessed by the guests over a cup of tea," he said. At least 800 people from the two sides attended the marriage function. "The entire ceremony cost hardly Rs 1000", he added.

The ring ceremony of the couple was held three months ago and an extravaganza was planned to make the occasion a memorable event by both the families who ran flourishing business in the locality. “The crisis has taught us a lesson that the big fat Indian weddings are nothing but wasteful expenditure," he added.