Visakhapatnam: In these days of ostentatious marriages with even the middle-class families spending lakhs of rupees, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from Andhra has set an example for others.
Patnala Basanth Kumar, Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) spent just Rs 36,000 on the marriage of his son on February 10.
The families of bridegroom and bride bear an expenditure of Rs 18,000 each on the ceremony, including the lunch for the guests.
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan blessed the couple at the simple ceremony on Friday.
In 2017, Basanth Kumar had also performed his daughter’s marriage with equal simplicity by spending just Rs 16,100.
Basanth Kumar, who was promoted to IAS cadre in 2012, had earlier served as Officer on Special Duty and Joint Secretary to Governor Narasimhan.
According to the report published in DC, on the wedding invitation, it was written, “blessings only — no bouquets — no gifts”. Mr. Basanth said that blessings of guests are important rather than lavish gifts.
People say he is setting an example at a time when many families are wasting huge money on marriages, which have become occasion for vulgar display of wealth.
Earlier, noted Islamic scholar, Maulana Salman Nadvi told that those who spend crores of rupees in marriage are getting their accommodation reserved in hell. He condemned those who spend huge money in marriage function.
With inputs from IANS