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How two couples in Mumbai decided to make their weddings about humanitarian acts

While Bhatt decided to use the money so collected for animal welfare, especially for strays, Bebji had a different idea.

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Bhavin Bhatt and Jahnavi Dave, Bilal Bebji and Rukkaya Manihar
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Malad-based Bhavin Bhatt and Navi Mumbai-based Bilal Bebji may not know each other. Both are 28. Bhatt works at a multinational, and Bebji runs a coaching class. Bhatt got married last Sunday, and Bebji is set to tie the knot this Saturday.

What's the big deal? You may well ask. Well, let's look at their wedding invites. Those who received Bhatt's invite also received a separate card that started like this:

"We seek only your blessings for us. Else, gift us only in cash payable at NGO desk (set up at venue). And it ends with a quote:

How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand...

And then, he roped in the Mumbai Animal Association (MAA) to set up a desk at the reception venue. While Bhatt decided to use the money so collected for animal welfare, especially for strays, Bebji had a different idea.

Bebji, unlike Bhatt, doesn't have a fancy wedding card. His wedding venue also has an NGO desk. But he is not asking guests to donate money to the desk, instead a part of themselves – yes, their own body.

The pamphlet from NGO DATRI that is distributed with the invite informs people about what he intends to do.

Bebji is asking the 1,000-odd guests expected to turn up for their wedding in CBD Belapur to register as stem cell donors at the DATRI desk to help end-stage blood cancer and thalassemia patients.

He has been donating blood since 2010. "I follow certain Twitter handles to see who needs blood in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai region. From other volunteers, I learnt about blood stem cell donation and decided to make it a part of my wedding."

DATRI, one of India's unrelated blood stem cell donors registry, will ask guests to give a buccal swab, in which a cotton bud will be used, to take a few cells from the their inner cheek.

Bebji's bride Rukkaya is a final year B.Com student. "Ours is a love-cum-arranged marriage. When I explained the concept to her, she found it a novel idea and agreed," said Bebji.

Bhatt also has a similar tale to narrate. "My entire family appreciated the gesture and decided that even they would contribute. Some guests even told me that since it was a special gift they did not mind putting in more money as it was for a cause," Bhatt said.

Now, let's wait for the response in CBD Belapur on May 20.

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