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Indian tycoon throws mass wedding for 236 fatherless brides | Indian tycoon throws mass wedding for 236 fatherless brides |
(about 5 hours later) | |
An Indian diamond trader hosted a mass wedding for 236 fatherless brides and gave each of them gifts worth thousands of dollars. | An Indian diamond trader hosted a mass wedding for 236 fatherless brides and gave each of them gifts worth thousands of dollars. |
Mahesh Savani put on the event for couples from poor families in the western state of Gujarat. | Mahesh Savani put on the event for couples from poor families in the western state of Gujarat. |
The 48-year-old has organised mass weddings since 2012 and believes giving away brides is a blessing from God. | The 48-year-old has organised mass weddings since 2012 and believes giving away brides is a blessing from God. |
"With Sunday's mass wedding, I have become (a) proud father to have performed 'kanyadaan' [the Hindu ritual of giving away one’s daughter in marriage] of over 700 girls," he told AFP. | "With Sunday's mass wedding, I have become (a) proud father to have performed 'kanyadaan' [the Hindu ritual of giving away one’s daughter in marriage] of over 700 girls," he told AFP. |
The businessman gave gifts of gold and household items worth 500,000 rupees (£6,000) to each of the brides. | The businessman gave gifts of gold and household items worth 500,000 rupees (£6,000) to each of the brides. |
Mr Savani began the event after one of his employees passed away days before his daughter’s wedding. | Mr Savani began the event after one of his employees passed away days before his daughter’s wedding. |
In 2015 Mr Savani sponsored 151 brides whose fathers had also died and in 2014 he organised a further 111 weddings. | In 2015 Mr Savani sponsored 151 brides whose fathers had also died and in 2014 he organised a further 111 weddings. |
Mr Savani added that his son and his cousin also got married this year's mass wedding, making a total of 238 couples tying the knot. | |
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