Team News Riveting
Bhubaneswar, May 22
Before the bride and groom could exchange the Varmala (garland), a team from the health department struck at a village in Ganjam district, picked the groom and shifted him to the quarantine centre. For, he was tested positive for COVID-19.
Rajendra Dandia of Daseipur village under Pattapur police station limits in Ganjam district of Odisha literally missed to “marry”. His marriage was scheduled to be solemnised on May 21 and the bride along with limited family members reached his village as per the convention.
In the wedding attire, the bride and groom reached the marriage pavilion. Before they could exchange the Varmala, a team from the health department reached and paused the programme. They picked the groom despite pleas to complete the marriage formalities and shifted him to the quarantine centre.
The groom had given a sample for COVID test four days ago as per the guidelines by the administration for marriage. But did not get a report. As the date approached, the family members decided to go ahead with the function.
The local administration came to know about the report in which Rajendra was tested positive just moments before the marriage. The Block Development Officer Gayatridatta Nayak along with Tehsildar Srinivas Behera and Pattapur police station in-charge Sabyasachi Mallick and other officials reached the wedding venue and took the groom in their custody even as rituals were going on.
The administration directed family members of both bride and groom to remain in home isolation. The officials casually said the wedding would be solemnised one month after the test report of the groom comes negative for the virus. But they failed to check whether an auspicious date coincides a month later that was a must for a marriage.
