500 tribals nuptial knot in mass marriage in Mumbai

Mumbai, June 7 (ANI): Five hundred tribals tied the knot at a mass marriage ceremony in Mumbai on Sunday.

Lawmakers and legislators in the state supported the initiative taken by a voluntary organization named Shramjivi, along with a trust called Shri Sadguru Dutt Dharmik.

"When we came to this area, we have realized that many couples are living in live-in relationship without any marriage; they are having children, also. Last year, we have promoted near about 470 couples, and this year we were able to sponsor 500 couples," said Bhaiyyu Maharaj, member of the organising committee.

Cricketer Irfan Pathan, who attended the event, congratulated the newly-married couples.

"It was an honour to be part of his ceremony as this organization has tried to change the norm followed by these couples here. They were living in live-in relationships without marriage as they cannot afford the marriage expenses," Pathan said.

The couples were gifted household items required to begin their newly married life.

Mass marriages are becoming popular, especially among the economically backward sections of Indian society, as these help in reducing financial worries. (ANI)