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TIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA November 29, 2004: The practice of dowry, prevalent among Hindus, is now making its presence in the Christian community as well. In fact, Kerala continues to be one of the epicenters of dowry practice in the country. In the matter of dowry and splurging for the wedding celebrations, it’s the middle class, which is bearing the brunt. “Personally, I am against dowry, but then if I want to marry my daughter to a decently good family, and if they demand a dowry, then it is definitely a problem,” said a parent. Marriage brokers also seems to have spread its influence into every community. “The existing market rates for doctors, engineers and government employees are above US$23,000 to $46,300. People, in fact, tell us that professionals deserve to get this much,” says a marriage broker. Archbishop Cyril Mar Baselios called this whole practice an aberration. “Practically, first concentrate on the family and its values, independent of wealth,” he added. However, earlier this month the Syro-Malabar, Marthoma and Jacobite churches asked their followers to reduce wedding expenses. Marriages have now become an occasion to flaunt wealth and social status.

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