Petals fell in a cascade, fog machines threw out dreamy clouds of mist and a live band struck celebratory tunes as a couple dressed in finery walked towards the stage. All the elements of a big fat Indian wedding were in place.
There were some crucial differences though. Behind the couple were 20 others. And many of them were limping, on crutches or wheelchair bound.
The 46th mass wedding by Narayan Seva Sansthan (NSS), an Udaipur-based organisation dedicated to disability rehabilitation, healthcare, and social empowerment, was held this week at a banquet hall in north Delhi’s Rohini locality. The event brought together couples from underprivileged backgrounds, including several with disabilities. Their smiles were bright and their dreams big. Durga, afflicted with polio since childhood, was among those looking forward to her happily ever after.
An early attempt to organise a matchmaking gathering drew nearly 400 men but only three women, forcing the organisation to rethink its approach.
The NSS later set up a dedicated team that began working closely with families, first through its 1,100-bed hospital in Udaipur, and then by reaching deeper into villages through grassroots outreach programmes.
The guiding principle for selecting couples was simple: at least one partner should be capable of earning a livelihood.
"Over the years, our initiative has helped 2,500 couples find partners. One of our largest ceremonies was held at Delhi's Ramleela Maidan around seven to eight years ago when 92 disabled and economically disadvantaged couples, including a Muslim and Christian couple, got married," said Agarwal.
