Anti-dowry NRI forum to conduct 50 weddings

KOZHIKODE: A Gulf-based non-resident India forum will be conducting 50 marriages in Vatakara taluk in Kerala on December 24 in keeping with its call to fight against dowry.

"The Abu Dhabi-based forum will be performing the weddings at an expense of Rs 80,000 each and women belonging to economically-backward classes have been selected from the districts of Kozhikode, Wayanad, Palakkad and Kannur', the
forum's organising committee chairman, Basheer Ahamed, told reporters.

In addition to five sovereigns of gold, the forum would provide new dresses to the bride and bridegroom and give Rs 5000 in cash to the couple. While the forum selected the
brides, the latter would decide on their bridegrooms, he said.

In the second phase, the forum proposed to conduct another 50 weddings in a similar manner, he said.      Priority was being given to orphans, the handicapped and
aged women, Basheer said.
    
The Vatakara chapter of the NRI forum was formed in 2001 to promote welfare activities in the area, he said.

Besides MNCs, several leading businessmen from the Gulf had come forward to sponsor the marriages, Basheer added.