http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Dalit-groom-hires-chopper-for-baraat/articleshow/7524041.cms
Dalit groom hires chopper for 'baraat'
Ashish Mehta & Rajendra Sharma, TNN, Feb 19, 2011, 03.33am IST
JAIPUR/ALWAR: In an area where Dalits face the ire of the upper class
especially on the marriage ritual of a groom riding a horse, a young
man from Sikarai village has done the jaw-dropping act of taking his
'baraat' in a helicopter.
On Friday, Deepak Kumar, who belongs to Nat, a Dalit family, chartered
the helicopter and left for Girwas village of Alwar district to get
his bride Santosh.
As many as 4,000 villagers turned up to witness the departure of the
'baraat' to bring his "royal bride" in the village. Around 4.30 pm,
Kumar's chopper touched down at Girwas where he was given a king's
welcome.
Kumar, who had to shell out a sum of Rs 1,50,000 for the one-hour
helicopter ride, told TOI, "My family has a business of garments in
Mumbai. Currently, I am pursuing Master's in geography and attending
coaching camps for cricket in Jaipur."
He also said there has been no opposition from any section of society
to his "big fat wedding". "I have not witnessed anything like this and
many blessed me on the eve of wedding day," Kumar said.
As the helicopter charge is high, both the groom and the bride's
family decided to take Santosh to her husband's home in a car after
the marriage.
"Ladki to humari helicopter main naa ja rahi hai (Our daughter will go
by our 'helicopter'," a beaming Roop Chand, uncle of the bride, said.
In Alwar, Kumar is not first come in a chopper for his marriage
ceremony. Several grooms of Mev and Yadav communities have been hiring
helicopters for their 'baraats' for years now.
"In 2008, Mev youth Asru Khan got married and brought his bride in a
chopper. Bringing back brides in choppers is a common scene in Mewat
region," said a tour operator who facilitates helicopters for travels.
"Hiring a chopper costs from Rs 1,50,000 per hour to Rs 2,00,000
depending upon the size and brand," he said.
In Mewsat region, lavish wedding with helicopters has been common
since the last 10 years. Haaji Naseeruddhin, a resident, said, "It all
started when we witnessed these things in the nearby villages
bordering Haryana."
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