Mahakalpara: Instead of demanding dowry, a young engineer from Kendrapara district planted hundreds of saplings ahead of his marriage.
Through this gesture, he emulated the example of Saroj Kant Biswal, a school teacher from the same district, who asked 1001 saplings as dowry for his marriage last month.
Bimalshree Roul, son of Bijay Roul of Chhedakani village under Mahakalpara block, tied the knot with a girl from Paradip Sunday.
When the procession was waiting for the groom and barati was ready to go the bride’s residence, Bimalshree made it a point of planting saplings.
The 24-year old engineer at the electric department of Paradip port, Bimalshree planted hundreds of trees on the premises of Satyanarayan Pitha. Bimalshree and his family also took a pledge to take utmost care of these saplings.
An elated Bijay said: “What we have done today was decided upon well before the marriage. Our gesture will encourage the yet-to-be-married youths to take a step towards ending the dowry system. It will also encourage them to take steps to protect the environment.”
The family has also decided to plant more than 500 saplings on the open spaces of the village and by roadsides on the occasion of Rath Yatra.
Locals including members of social organistaions, Satyanaran Yuvak Sangha, educationists, senior citizens applauded Bimalshree for his noble gesture.
