Maharashtra groom builds farm road with wedding fund, spurns lavish ceremony

NAGPUR: At a time when weddings are increasingly associated with lavish venues, designer attire, and extravagant feasts, a young farmer from a remote village in Chandrapur district has quietly rewritten the narrative — replacing pomp with purpose.
Srikant Ekude, 29, a postgraduate in agriculture from Susa village in Warora taluka, married Anjali Garmade of Yavatmal district on April 28 in a simple, open-air ceremony grounded in the reformist ‘satyashodhak' tradition of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. And the couple chose to build a much-needed farm access road using their Rs 50,000 wedding fund.
For years, Susa's farmers were forced to carry heavy seed bags and harvests across difficult terrain as there was no road to their fields. Even bullock carts could not navigate the slush and swamp during monsoon. "It became impossible to cross the area during rains. We knew the road could change lives," said Srikant.
Years ago, Srikant joined hands with 12 other farmers to open a mud road through his own land with a modest contribution of Rs 13,000. But this time, affected farmers were unwilling to contribute. "I took them to the gram panchayat to explore options under govt schemes, but no help was forthcoming," he recalled. Realising the urgency, he and Anjali resolved to divert their wedding funds for hiring a JCB machine and levelling the stretch of land into an all-weather road. "When I made my biodata for marriage, I made it clear that wedding expenses would be minimal. Anjali's family appreciated the idea, and we agreed to do something impactful instead," he said.
The couple also requested guests not to bring cash or conventional gifts. Instead, they encouraged well-wishers to bring saplings or books. Over 90 trees, including starfruit, water apple, mulberry, rubber, litchi, moh, bael, and charoli — now flourish on Srikant's farmland. "These trees will grow with our marriage and remind us that personal happiness can go hand in hand with environmental and social responsibility," he said.
Srikant's passion for agriculture is matched by his social activism. Rather than seek a govt job, he decided to modernise his ancestral farm with sustainable practices. He started cultivating chillies, an unconventional crop for the region, and founded a spice brand named ‘Seetai', in memory of his late grandmother who deeply influenced him.
He also founded Bright Edge, an initiative that supports tribal students. Located in Bhisi village of Chimur taluka, the centre houses 55 students preparing for competitive exams. It provides not only free lodging and coaching, but also access to a public library and academic support. Deeply influenced by the Phule-Shahu-Ambedkarite ideology, Srikant hopes to empower rural youth through education and awareness.
As the word spread about Srikant and Anjali's unusual wedding, it sparked admiration and introspection. In a world driven by material display, their story is testimony that simple, thoughtful choices can create lasting community impact. "We wanted our marriage to mean something more than a personal celebration. This was an opportunity to serve the community and honour the values of Mahatma Phule," the couple said.