Frogs tie nuptial knot to appease Rain God

Udupi (Karnataka), Jul 16: An elected representative of this rain-fed district in Karnataka has turned to frogs to soothe the parched throats here in the wake of monsoon failure.

Taking the initiative to appease the Rain God in a novel way, independent Udupi Municipal Councillor and Udupi Nagarika Vedike President Nityananda Volakad, known for his ''innovative'' ideas, arranged a marriage of the croaky amphibians in the city, last night. The wedding ceremony commenced with the 'baraat' starting from the Udupi Taluk Office to reach the wedding venue of clock tower near the bus stand here, covering a distance of about one km. The 'bride and bridegroom' took the plunge into matrimony in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue at the clock tower, witnessed by about 50 'well wishers'. The protagonists of the ceremony were fettered to ensure that they did not jump around. Religion did not come in the way of pleasing the Rain God as a plastic 'Mangalsutra' and wedding rings were used to solemnise the special marriage as per the Hindu and Christian customs. Meanwhile, rain had been playing hide and seek in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district since the last one week. Though it was cloudy in the mornings and evenings, rain eluded the region.

During July every year, the region used to receive heavy rains. Farmers engaged in paddy cultivation in the district were in deep distress following monsoon failure.

UNI