College of Engineering Pune Indian Revenue Service Rahul Raising and Sneha Nagrale believe that by giving a bicycle, they are setting an example for young ones. This was one of the ideas propagated at the wedding along with an exhibition and a book distribution drive, which the apprehensive kin came to appreciate wedding We would like to inspire more people to conduct their marriages in such a manner — Sneha Nagrale, the bride Yashwantrao Chavan When two(CoEP) alumni decided to marry at Sangamner, it took rigorous planning and convincing the kin, as the event was going to be far from a luxurious affair. The couple wanted the event to shine of social causes, a desire which materialised through varied means.This idea was materialised by Rahul Raising, 27, an assistant commissioner (probation) with(IRS) and Sneha Nagrale, 28, who fell in love while they were preparing for civil services in Pune. The couple renounced everything from drones to horses and expensive dress to mega feast and instead, kicked off the celebrations by giving away five cycles to girls, who live far from their schools.Then, they identified five destitute women and gave them sewing machines. Apart from this, they organised a book collection drive with the participation of fellow IRS officers for needy children.A painting exhibition comprising nearly 200 exhibits that spreads awareness on women’s issue, water scarcity, pollution and the need to stop splurging on weddings covered the venue at Amruta lawns. Invitees from across the state got a glimpse of thein the first week of March.The bridegroom, a son of a college lecturer and bride, the daughter of a paper mill worker, planned this affair for a long time, to oppose the trend of a luxurious bash.“The idea of the wedding these days is synonymous to spending too much money on clothes and other luxuries. Some even go to the extent of taking loans. We have been planning the wedding this way for a while and had to convince our families. Relatives, especially aunts and uncles, wanted a normal wedding, but once they reached the venue they were impressed. We married as per the Constitution, under the Special Marriage Act,” said Raising, who is now posted in New Delhi.The couple had spent half of their wedding expenditure — over Rs 2.2 lakh — on social causes. There was a 20-minute performance by famous Bhim Geet singer Kadubai Kharat. The feast was limited to just bhakri, vegetable dish, dal and rice.“By giving a bicycle to a girl, we are planting an idea in her mind with the hope that she will replicate this example. We would like to inspire more people to conduct their marriages in such a manner,” said Nagrale.The 28-year-old is not new to social work and philanthropy. She was part of Spandan, a social work wing of CoEP, and she was the best social worker of 2012. Thereafter, she started preparing for civil services at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute. She was also working with a prominent IT firm at Pune for two years. Raising, on the other hand, was also in the city was preparing for civil services atAcademy of Development Administration.

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