Raj Bhavan’s expansive green area became an emotional festivity of one-ness and common delight on the third year of the Governor’s current term. To mark the milestone, the Governor turned the celebration into a social-committed gesture rather than a grand show – organizing community marriages for the couples of two common people families.
The brides and grooms of the community marriages were dressed in understated but still good-looking garments, and they came along with their families, which for a long time, have been financially challenged due to the exorbitant cost of weddings. The event, which was also an expensive social ritual in most cases, was turned by the program into a dignified and memorable moment for everyone. The place of the Raj Bhavan, which is usually associated with power and state ceremonies, looked very jovial and accessible and was made beautiful by the flowers, light music, and good-humored faces.
In his speech, the Governor pointed out that it was not only a symbolic act to be celebrated but also a reminder that the government is ultimately the servant of the people – especially those who are the least visible. “A wedding is not for show; it is for the two people taking the new path together of respect, trust, and companionship,” he stated. His talk made a great impression on the people who were there, and a good number of them in response said that they were thankful for the rare occasion that acknowledged their dignity and happiness without putting further economic pressure on them.
Charity groups, religious leaders, and fellow community members of different faiths and areas took the initiative to make the plans a success. The rituals were performed according to the different customs, thus reflecting the cultural mosaic of the state. The newlywed couples were also given household essentials e.g., utensils, fabrics, and simple furniture so that they can start their life with peace of mind.
Indeed such a day will be remembered not only as the formal event but as the experience of dignity and being a part of the community by the couples, many of whom couldn’t have imagined having their wedding within the walls of the historical Raj Bhavan. It was a silent yet strong gesture of love and care from the government – the Governor’s office speaking volumes about how compassion and governance can go hand in hand. His tenure’s three years celebrated the happening not by pomp but by humanity, which the public institution’s transformative power could be understood when they opened their doors to the people they serve.
