In a beautiful departure from tradition, a couple in Berhampur chose to solemnize their union on Friday by taking an oath on the Indian Constitution and championing a life-saving cause. This unique ceremony replaced customary rituals with a powerful statement of civic duty and social responsibility.
A Simple Ceremony with a Profound Message
The wedding brought together Preetipanna Mishra, 40, a system analyst from Berhampur working in Hyderabad, and B Bhanu Teja, 43, a scientist from Kakinada based in Bengaluru. With the full support of their parents, they opted for a simple and meaningful ceremony. The driving force behind this innovative idea was Preetipanna's mother, Bidyutprabha Rath, a retired government employee and writer.
"In 2019, I organised such a marriage for my son after convincing the parents of his bride," said Rath. "This time, I requested Bhanu's parents to solemnise their marriage under the Constitution, instead of customary rituals. I thank them as they agreed to my proposal." She revealed that the couple fell in love after meeting at a seminar in Hyderabad, and she motivated them to get married in the name of the Constitution.
Blood Donation as a Wedding Gift
Marking their special day with an act of giving, Preetipanna and Bhanu Teja themselves donated blood at a camp organized alongside their wedding. Their noble gesture inspired their guests to follow suit. Motivated by the newlyweds' appeal, several attendees came forward to donate, leading to an impressive collection of 18 units of blood.
Inspiring a Movement for Change
The couple expressed their hope that their decision would set a new ideal. "We hope our marriage will set an ideal and inspire others to follow in our stead," said Preetipanna. The event was organized with the help of the Ganjam unit of the Humanist Rationalist Organisation (HRO), which promotes such ritual-free unions.
K Nandeshu Senapati, the secretary of the HRO Ganjam unit, noted a growing trend, stating that at least five such Constitution-based marriages have been solemnised in Berhampur, often called the silk city, over the last five years. The organization hopes more couples will come forward to tie the knot, disregarding barriers like caste, horoscopes, and the practice of dowry.
