Davangere
In a heartwarming initiative, the Davangere district administration and government officials have helped three orphan girls start new lives by standing in as parental figures during their marriages. This gesture is part of a wider welfare program that has so far arranged marriages for 46 orphan women, bringing joy and stability into their lives.
The special ceremony took place at the Rajya Mahila Nilayam in Ramanagara, organized by the Department of Women and Child Welfare. The three couples who tied the knot are Shalini-Nagaraj, Rakshita-Basavaraj, and Ruchita-Praveen. Each marriage was conducted according to traditional customs, reflecting the department’s commitment to preserving cultural values while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Shalini’s story is particularly moving. A resident of Chitnikere in Chikkamangaluru district, she lost her mother and is both deaf and mute. She had been living in the women’s dormitory of the Department of Women and Children in Ramanagara. Her partner, Nagaraj from Anaji village in Davangere taluk, also shares similar challenges. Their union was celebrated with joy and care by the officials and staff.
The other two couples also come from modest backgrounds, with Rakshita from Bharamasagar in Chitradurga joining Dabasavaraj, a farmer from Shinshipura, and Ruchita from Bhima Samudra, Chitradurga, marrying Praveen from Davangere. The marriages were conducted in the spirit of Kuvempu’s Ashaya Nudi Mantra Mangalya, emphasizing love, respect, and cultural heritage.
Officials including Additional Deputy Commissioner S. Shivakumar, SP Uma Prashant, and GPM CEO Gitte Madhav Vitthal Rao were present to bless the newlyweds. The celebrations included a traditional feast, and the marriages were officially registered at the sub-registration office.
This initiative not only provides a family structure for orphans but also inspires hope and community support. The Women and Children’s Department continues to be lauded for its unwavering dedication to creating brighter futures for orphaned girls, ensuring that they step confidently into their new lives with dignity, respect, and love.
