India's lavish weddings go online in virus lockdown

Published
0
Friends and relatives of Sushen Dang and Keerti Narang took part in the wedding celebrations online due to the coronavirus lockdown. — AFP
Friends and relatives of Sushen Dang and Keerti Narang took part in the wedding celebrations online due to the coronavirus lockdown. — AFP

In a country famous for lavish weddings that last for days, an Indian couple is among a growing number of people modifying their marriage ceremonies under a virus lockdown that has limited public gatherings, AFP reported.

More than 10 million weddings are held annually in the nation of 1.3 billion people, with the marriage industry estimated to be worth some $40-$50 billion, according to advisory firm KPMG. The spread of the coronavirus and the nationwide lockdown took place as India's wedding season was in full swing.

In western Rajasthan state alone some 23,000 weddings meant to coincide with the Hindu Akshaya Tritiya festival on April 26 were called off due to the pandemic.

Read the full story here.

Opinion

Editorial

After the talks
05 Oct, 2026

After the talks

THE nation was made to wait for all of Saturday as opposition and government representatives convened for the second...
Child safety online
05 Oct, 2026

Child safety online

PAKISTANI children are spending more of their lives online, but the safeguards around them are not keeping pace. A...
Rising public debt
05 Oct, 2026

Rising public debt

PAKISTAN’S public debt has surged by 76pc to Rs86.7tr in four years, according to a new government report. Though...
Yemen offensive
Updated 04 Oct, 2026

Yemen offensive

The best option, therefore, is for Muslim and Arab states to help restore the Saudi-Houthi ceasefire.
Growth transition
04 Oct, 2026

Growth transition

PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent call to move from stabilisation to growth, job creation and export ...
Protection at risk
04 Oct, 2026

Protection at risk

THE recent warning from UNHCR should alarm donor governments. Nearly 8.3m refugees and other forcibly displaced...