KARACHI: Seventy-six Hindu couples tied the knot at the 19th Combined Marriage Ceremony organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) and the Dr Prem Kumar Sital Das Memorial Trust at Karachi’s Railway Ground on Sunday. The event is part of a larger initiative this year that will see 126 couples married, with arrangements made for 50 couples to celebrate in their home towns.
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The wedding venue was decorated with 75 cabins for couples to perform rituals simultaneously. Maharaj Jai Kumar Trivedi oversaw the ceremonies, ensuring that each mandap was prepared with traditional fire, rice, coconut, betel leaves, and other customary items. Couples from across Karachi and Sindh’s interior attended, with local couples appearing fresh and confident, while those from distant areas braved the cold and brought blankets and quilts for comfort.
The ceremony highlighted the diversity of professions and communities participating. Priya, a primary school teacher, and Sagar, an electrician from Saddar, Karachi, served as the model couple married on the main stage while other couples followed along in their cabins via large screens. Light-hearted moments, such as a bride and groom named Benazir and Badshah from Sukkur, drew laughter and cheers from attendees.
PHC Patron-in-Chief Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who has overseen 19 such ceremonies over the years, mingled with the couples and guests, expressing gratitude for the support of Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM), banks, and other sponsors. PBM Managing Director Senator retired Captain Shaheen Khalid Butt emphasised that the organisation supports beneficiaries of all faiths, addressing misconceptions about its scope.
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The combined marriage programme continues to provide low-income Hindu families with opportunities to celebrate weddings with dignity, ensuring financial and logistical support. Over the past 19 years, the initiative has helped nearly 1,850 brides and grooms start married life with community and institutional backing.