Press Trust of India
AHMEDABAD, INDIA, December 6, 2004: In Kalupur, residents are celebrating an 18-year-old Hindu girl’s marriage, organized by a Muslim widow. Sharavarbibi Ansari, 40, gave away her “adopted” daughter Nandu to Narendra Rajput, a resident of Behrampura. Nandu’s marriage was performed according to the Hindu rituals. Sharvarbibi, says, “So what if I am performing Hindu rites for Nandu’s marriage? If the girl is a Hindu, her marriage must be conducted accordingly.” Sharvarbibi had taken Nandu under her care five years ago when she found that the girl was being mistreated by her parents. They used to beat her and send her to collect grains that fall out from sacks near the Kalupur market. When I could not bear it any longer, I gave Nandu shelter,” she said. Nandu’s father Rajesh Darbar, pedals a cycle-rickshaw for a living, allowed Nandu to stay with Sharvarbibi as “our financial condition was not good.” He said besides Nandu he has three other daughters. Nandu’s the eldest. “Sharvarbibi is like a family member. So, we have no problem in letting her conduct Nandu’s marriage. Moreover, we do not have the money to conduct a wedding.” says Rajesh. His wife Premila is also happy with the marriage. Right from searching for the groom to learning the necessary Hindu rituals, Sharvarbibi did it all. Narendra (22) works at a hardware shop, while Nandu is illiterate. “One of our acquaintances brought the marriage proposal for Nandu. I checked out the boy and his family. Satisfied, I asked Nandu’s parents for approval. After receiving their nod, I went ahead with the wedding preparations,” she said. To learn about Hindu marriage customs, Sharvarbibi turned to her neighbors. “Though I have been living here for the past 12 years and know quite a bit about Hindu rituals, I wanted to make sure that everything was just right for Nandu. My neighbors were very helpful in this matter,” said Sharvarbibi. Quite conscious about the religion factor, she said, “The religion of humanity compelled me to conduct Nandu’s marriage.” Neighbors agreed that Sharvarbibi had brought up Nandu well. “Sharvarbibi has always done the right thing for Nandu,” said a neighbor.