61 Dalit couples tie knot on Sonia's b'day

Chennai, Apr 29 (UNI) All India Congress General Secretary Margret Alva today solemnised the mass marriage of 61 Dalit couples to mark the 61st birthday of AICC President Sonia Gandhi at suburban Kunrathur today.

The function was organised by Senior Congress Leader and Deputy Leader of Tamil Nadu Congress Legislature Party D Yasodha.

Ms Alva hailed Ms Yasodha's efforts for alleviating the sufferings of 122 families by conducting the mass marriage.

Ms Gandhi had directed her to solemnise the marriages and extended her best wishes to the newly-married couples.

Mrs Alva announced her personal contribution of Rs 61,000 for the weddings.

In her address, Ms Yasodha said each couple would be given Rs 7000 worth gift articles, including gold mangalsutras. Union Minister E V K S Elangovan, Tamil Nadu Congress President M Krishnaswamy, Congress Lok Sabha Member J M Aroon and Tamil Nadu Congress Legislative party leader D Sudharsanam were among those who attended.

UNI