Chhattisgarh cop takes bullock-cart 'baraat' after PM Modi’s austerity appeal

The unique procession became a talking point at a time when lakhs of rupees are often spent on wedding events, residents said.

Narayanpur: A police constable in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district chose bullock carts instead of a convoy of vehicles for his 'baraat' (wedding procession) in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for austerity.

Amid the crisis in West Asia, Modi on Sunday suggested reducing petrol and diesel consumption, using metro rail services in cities, carpooling, increased use of electric vehicles, utilising railway services for parcel movement and working from home to conserve foreign exchange.

Kuber Dehari, posted as the gunman of the Narayanpur Superintendent of Police, married a woman from his village Dumartarai, located around 3 kilometres from here, on May 12, during which he opted for a convoy of bullock carts to reach the bride's house.

Videos of the procession, which covered a distance of more than 1 kilometre, were shared on social media on Wednesday evening.

Talking to reporters on Thursday, Dehari said, "Our culture and traditions are our true identity, and the younger generation should preserve them. PM Modi's appeal is not merely a statement, but a message in national interest. Everyone's participation is essential for strengthening the country and conserving resources."

Hailing the move, state forest minister Kedar Kashyap, in a social media post, said, "Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji's appeal to conserve fuel, Kuber Dehari of Dumartarai in Narayanpur arrived at the bride's home by taking out wedding procession on bullock carts."

Rooted in simplicity and tradition, this unique wedding procession has become a beautiful message of environmental conservation, Kashyap added.

Residents of the area said the unique procession became a talking point at a time when lakhs of rupees are often spent on wedding events.

It conveyed the message that modernization should go hand in hand with preservation of culture, traditions and responsibilities toward national interest, they added.