A significant social event blending personal celebration with public service unfolded in Navalgund, where the wedding reception of an MLA's son was paired with a large-scale community marriage initiative. The occasion drew the state's top political leadership and highlighted key social messages.
Political Leaders Attend Dual Celebration
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar led a host of dignitaries at the event on Sunday. They were joined by several ministers including Krishna Byre Gowda, HC Mahadevappa, and Santosh Lad. The gathering also included seers, officials, and a vast number of supporters, turning it into a major public function.
The event was organized by MLA NH Konaraddi, who marked his son Naveen Kumar's wedding to Sahana by also hosting a collective marriage ceremony. Seventy-five couples from diverse communities were married in this mass ceremony, a practice Konaraddi stated he has been following frequently since 2005.
Strong Social Messages from the Leadership
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah commended the initiative for promoting inter-caste unions. He emphasized that increasing such marriages is a crucial step toward eradicating the deep-rooted caste system in society. The CM also turned his focus to another critical issue, urging for responsible family planning.
"It is everyone's responsibility to control the population, especially as India has already surpassed China," Siddaramaiah remarked, advocating for families to limit themselves to one or two children.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar offered advice to the newlyweds, encouraging them to strive for self-reliance and build exemplary lives together. He invoked the vision of the renowned poet Kuvempu, stating, "All of you should become citizens of a garden of all religions." His words were a call for harmony and unity in diversity.
MLA's Commitment to His Constituency
MLA NH Konaraddi shared insights into the planning of the event. He revealed that while there was advice to host his son's marriage at the prestigious Bengaluru Palace, the family chose Navalgund deliberately. Their priority was to ensure the easy participation of their constituents and supporters, reflecting a commitment to their local community.
By combining his son's reception with the mass wedding, Konaraddi continued a long-standing personal tradition of social service, making a private milestone a shared community celebration.
The event in Navalgund successfully merged a personal family occasion with a substantial public welfare act, while providing a platform for state leaders to address pressing social issues like caste discrimination and population management.
