Extravagant weddings and the plight of Pakistan
As of late, extravagant weddings have become a norm in Pakistan. But whether we like it or not, these larger-than-life wedding ceremonies are just a misuse cash and assets.
What made me expound on Pakistani weddings is the feeling of waste, the absence of profundity with respect to genuine and more critical concerns in marriages, and the pointless customs that we have been following religiously since ages. A separate day for Nikkah, then loads of dholkis in between, then having two Mehendis – one from the bride’s side and one from the groom’s – followed by the actual wedding day and the Valima reception; this is what a normal timeline for a Pakistani urban wedding looks like.
Is this what an ideal marriage needs? Or is this an ideal way to waste money?
A normal Pakistani wedding now costs around Rs15 lakhs, as indicated by studies; however, these are undoubtedly not normal weddings. Normally business moguls, government officials or celebrities have such gigantic spending plans for their big day. For some, no expense is saved on the most vital day of their lives. Where the financial backing for flowers alone is Rs2 lakhs, women purchase various fashioners outfits to change into for the duration of the day, and the cakes are enormous to the point that the wife and husband to be need to climb a stepping stool to cut them.
Exuberant merriment for the rich can be trouble for the middle class and a limitless dream for poor people. In a nation where a large portion of the populace lives underneath the poverty line, the exclusive class burns through a huge number of rupees on weddings, while the middle class goes under tremendous obligations keeping in mind the end goal to meet the general public’s meaning of a “perfect” ceremony.
I just can’t understand why the senior citizens in Pakistani families don’t stand firm and decline to waste riches on weddings; why can’t they keep things basic and simple? Why do they need to twist around things to oblige the requests or solicitations of each family relative? I feel despicable while thinking about our wedding institutions and customs linked with it. These wedding practices have stripped away the genuine pith of marriage. It is sad how we center our energies on the baseless principles of weddings.
Everything is set to look stunning yet, in making the wedding impeccable and alluring, we very conveniently disregard the obligation of a sacred marriage. Everybody, including the bride and groom, pays consideration on outer beautifications, extravagant marriages, while dismissing the components that really constitute a marriage and make it work. No one thinks what will happen once the flowers blur away and the pricey wedding dress is perpetually secured away in a bag.
Yes, it ought to be new, exquisite, in vogue, and flawless yet does that mean it has to be worth hundreds and thousands of rupees? Another objection I have with Pakistani weddings these days is what’s the purpose of spending an enormous sum of money on food for individuals who can very well manage the cost of such nourishment themselves? Why not organize a little dinner with simply close family relatives and companions of the couple? Why include a force of extended relatives and far-off colleagues? I am glad that the Punjab Government introduced the One-Dish law to avoid waste of food and money.
I unequivocally believe that instead of putting resources into designer dresses, traditions and extravagances, one should invest ones energy in building relationships and having stronger bonds. Let’s understand the actual meaning of marriage and spread happiness, instead of wasting mindlessly.
