Odisha tribal girl lauded for refusing to marry drunk groom

Odisha's Sambalpur district administration applauded and felicitated a 20-year-old tribal woman after she refused to marry her fiance at the mandap as he came for the wedding in an inebriated state, news agency PTI reports.

Mamata Bhoi hailing from Gobardhan Badmal village was adamant to not change her decision after she found out that the groom was drunk ahead of the wedding ceremony.

District officials said that the groom's family, thereafter, returned since Mamata refused to get married. While speaking at the program, Mamata said that after seeing her fiancé in that state, she realised that she could never lead a good life with him.

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"When I saw the man in an inebriated condition at the wedding mandap, I immediately took the decision not to marry him. The man was even unable to stand as he was heavily drunk. I realised that I could not lead a happy life with such a man... I instantly took the decision and I don't think that I have done anything wrong," Mamata Bhoi said, as per PTI.

Mamata’s aunt Subasini Dharua said her niece belongs to a poor family and it was a tough decision for her to send back the groom from the wedding mandap. Though her decision left all her family members and relatives astonished, all of them stood by her, she said. 

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Subasini said Mamata is all set to marry a man from Brajarajnagar in Jharsuguda district on July 8. She said Mamata’s family has enquired from sources that the man does not consume liquor or any other intoxicant. 

Her aunt said that Mamata's family supported her after she took the decision. Mamata Bhoi was felicitated on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the presence of Sambalpur SP, Sambalpur collector Subham Saxena. She was presented with a shawl, a citation and Rs 10,000.

"By refusing to marry a drunkard, Mamata gave a message to all the girls that they should be very particular while selecting their spouse. She also gave the message to the all the girls that their life would be hell if they get married to a drunkard," Sambalpur SP, Sanjeev Arora, said.

(With PTI inputs)