Former MLC’s daughter has simple wedding ceremony in court, to donate saving to unaided teachers’ children

Kolhapur: While ostentatious weddings, especially of politicians'children and relatives is now a trend, Sushama, the daughter of Dattatray Sawant, the former MLC from the teachers constituency in Solapur's Pandharpur, got married at the registrar's office on Friday, spending just Rs 150. It was a simple wedding with the groom, Shubham Shinde, tying the bride's mangalsutra, and the couple exchanging floral garlands as family and friends clapped.The rest of the amount that had been saved for the wedding will now be donated for the welfare of the children of unaided teachers.Sushama said, "I am very happy that our new journey is beginning with such a sacred work. Since childhood, I have witnessed my father's fight for the rights of unaided teachers. They don't even receive salaries. The children of such teachers must be facing so many difficulties. Hence, to contribute to this cause, we decided to keep our marriage a very simple one."Groom Shubham Shinde added, "Simplicity is not inferiority. In our society, there is a race to show off. The bigger the wedding, the more important the person is considered. This has now become a trend. We are not opposed to rituals or tradition, but have opted for what our socially aware hearts wanted. The amount saved — several lakhs of rupees — will contribute for betterment of the unaided teachers and their families."Speaking about his daughter and son-in-law, Sawant said, "The ceremony took place on Friday in the presence of not more than 15 people. They decided to have a court marriage, avoiding all grandeur. My daughter and son-in-law have shown through their actions what the richness of culture is. Both are highly educated, but their thoughts are even deeper. I am really proud of both of them."Sawant added, "Teachers are doing the sacred work of imparting knowledge without any major remuneration on a salaried or unsponsored basis. Many teachers even get retired without any support after serving their entire lives. The financial burden on these teachers is serious, and there is always a question mark on the future of their children. That is why we celebrated my daughter's wedding in a very simple manner."Sawant, known for raising issues of teachers, said his practical help on the occasion of his daughter's wedding would become an inspiration to many.