45 couple tie the knot

Phagwara, June 18 (UNI) As any as 45 couples were married by traditiona Sikh marriage rites at a gurdwara in Phillaur yesterday in presence of Charanjit Singh Atwal, Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha.

The couples were married off during the 5th mass marriage being organised by the Gurdwara Shaheedan Singh Dera Baba Jarnail Singh, amid the recital of "Laanvas" from Shri Guru Granth Sahib.

A large number of people from nearby villages and slum colonies gathered here to attend the mass marriage.

The couples were also given some necessary items like sewing machine, folding beds, crockery and clothes for each of the 45 couples, besides some gold and silver jewellery, to start their new life.

Pritam Singh of the Dera informed UNI that a screening committee had been set up to ensure that only genuinely needy couples were selected.

"It is after a thorough verification of the age of the couple and their economic status that they were considered for the free marriages," he said.

UNI