Raj govt performs marriage rites of 12 abandoned girls

Dumped by biological parents for being a "burden" on the family, 12 girls living in a government shelter home here were today married in the presence of a minister and government officials who acted as their guardians and performed the wedding rites.

Wearing coloured turbans government officials welcomed the marriage procession and performed the marriage rites and rituals.

Each married girl was given Rs 11,000 in cash and a cheque of Rs 20,000, the officials said.

The officials also gifted the newly wedded girls, TV, refrigerator, bed, dressing-table, mattresse, almirahs, mixer, ceiling fan, sewing machine, utensils and gas burner.

The facilities were arranged by the Social Justice and Empowerment department and the funds were donated by volunteers.

We have been preparing for arranging the marriage for over a month. Separate committees were formed to ensure that arrangements are proper. The girls were living at Mahila Sadan, a shelter home, after they were dumped by their biological parents considering them a burden on them, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister, Arun Chaturvedi said.

Rajasthan chief secretary D B Gupta said that it is an appreciable effort of the state government.

He said that it will change the mindset of the people and society will respect the daughters. With the support of voluntary donors the daughters will lead a blissful future, he said.

Other officials who witnessed the marriage ceremony included Lokayukta S S Kothari, Additional Chief Secretary J C Mohanty, Commisioner directorate of specially-abled persons Dhannaram Purohit, Director Social Justice and Empowerment Department Samit Sharma.