Wedding Receptions

Wedding receptions is a hot topic for last few days. The first lavish wedding reception that I remember must have been in late 50’s. It was hosted by a rich inhabitant of Ramdaspeth, Nagpur who had booked the entire Ramdaspeth Park to make vulgar display of his wealth. If one is rich, then there is no need to display, as others already know one is rich. I know many rich guys from western suburbs in Mumbai who travel by locals (suburban trains) to their work place. A simple look at them can never tell that the guy has millions with him. One may term it as simplicity, may be, but fact remains there is no display of wealth. In fact such public display is rightly not needed. In marketing I believe, if you are a brand you don’t need a brand.

The neo-rich are the ones who want others to know that they too are rich. Unfortunately in India we have a very strong nexus between money, power and politics.  Money brings the power and power brings the money. It’s a circle that is valid both clockwise and anticlockwise and one of the most practiced starting point to initiate this circle is politics. Girth of this circle increases with every rotation, thanks to dirty politics. We has a very large number of such neo-rich species in India.

One of the ways to intimidate rather than impress the masses is to hold grand receptions, be it a wedding or even birthday. These functions are attended by political bigwig and that vouches for the “strength” of the person. This strength is used to pull the weight on the masses. In the recent news were the politicians who spent over Rs. 400 million on a wedding reception. Most of the politicians and Bollywood guys were present for this extravaganza. Helicopters and private aircrafts kept flying. VVIP guests were ferried by helicopters between the reception venue and palatial residence of the politician. Tens of thousands travelled from native village of these politicians, thousands abstained from their jobs to attend the function. There was a strain on the police, authorities supplying water and electricity, and various other service providers. Roads were jammed, residents of that area and all those who used the national highway, and had nothing to do with this function spent extra time and fuel to reach their destinations. What a waste of national resources, be it man hours, fuel or energy.

Stage and facilities at the reception venue created for a few hours of function were of millions. Money was just flowing. Flowers were flown in from different countries; sets were erected to give a magnificent look. The dinner in this reception had international cuisine. Chefs were flown in even from relatively unknown countries like Czech Republic. May be 90% of the invitees would not be position to correctly pronounce Czech, but the cuisine was there. The food that had been wasted could have fed hundreds of malnourished children in the state. Even 100 gms of food wasted by each of the 100,000 invitees would mean over a truckload of food waste.

Another politician from Maharashtra gave sarees, suits, and utensils along with the invitation cards to the invitees. Mercs were given as gifts to relatives and cost of mementos would run in millions. Most of these expenses are without any invoice. This translates in to circulation of black money, non-payment of VAT and other taxes and of course income tax. Even the caterers and decorators demand cash and not cheques so that they can save on taxes - service tax and income tax.  

It is difficult to digest the logic behind such functions. In one such wedding the parents of the groom were least interested in the bride or the rituals that were going on. Their attention was at the gate and on cell phones to check the VVIP movements. The couple was restless till arrival of party supremo and other dignitaries. It is sad that marriage, an event in India that is so sacred, so personal and is solemn element of the society, is being publicized for personal interests.

In yet another wedding a corporator of a municipal corporation erected a set that was similar the set used in Jodha Akabar movie. For him the cost was just Rs.4 million for the set that was occupied by the newly wedded couple for few hours. However this money could have given a permanent one room dwelling to few families for their lifetime.

Recently a birthday was celebrated by a politician, that was again worth millions. For such functions hoardings were erected, spoiling the landscape, creating a non-biodegradable waste in tons. The TV channels kept on beaming the advertisements sponsored by his chamachas for the whole day. What a waste of money for unproductive activity.

In good old days in Mumbai, a slice of ice-cream would be served in wedding reception. Afterwards receptions graduated to some snacks and a cold drink. Over a period last thirty years the entire definition of reception has changed. Recently in Indore the reception had a fashion show with ramp walk. In another reception dancers and singers from TV reality shows were invited. And now it is said that one minister paid Rs.35 million to a leading actor to dance for few minutes in the reception. The guest list is also swelling every day.

We have in India “guest control order” in place. There is no implementation of this act. It is similar to “health permit” issued in Maharashtra for consumption of alcoholic beverages. Anyone in Maharashtra can buy a booze without the permit. The guest control order that was promulgated in 1960 that refrained the hosts/caterers from serving cereals. There is limit for inviting guests. It is 25 persons for social parties and 100 persons for wedding and funeral functions inclusive of the host. It is reported that the original document is lost and therefore a similar order passed by Assam government in 1966 is being taken as a reference point. Various states including J&K had similar orders. Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, when he was the Prime Minister had appealed to the citizens to refrain from consumption of rice on every Monday to overcome the shortage of food grains. Of course shortages are now part of history, but there has to be some sensitivity on wastage of food and spending. Our neighbouring country Pakistan, advocated similar policy and “one function one dish” was promoted. They went a step forward and banned extravagant expenses, illuminations, fireworks, use of public space, loud speakers etc. We have Supreme Court order for fire crackers and loud speakers, but who cares? We have become insensitive, more insensitive than our politicians.

Everyone knows from where the money comes for such functions. Everyone knows what is the purpose for such extravagant celebrations, government is aware of all such activities, but no one questions, rather dares to question. Will our society wake up? A social boycott may be a step towards this.