Rajasthan: Banshi Valmiki previously worked as a cleaning staff member at the Government Higher Secondary School in Lasari. He supported his family through hard work and labor. Approximately 10 years ago, Banshi Valmiki passed away unexpectedly, leaving his family devastated. He is survived by his wife, two daughters – Pooja and Sunita – and a son. The family’s financial situation was extremely precarious.
Following their father’s death, Pooja and Sunita did not lose heart. They took over their father’s cleaning duties at the same school. Time passed, and both sisters grew up and reached marriageable age. However, due to the family’s difficult financial circumstances, arranging their marriages was not easy.
A Teacher Steps Up as Guardian
During this time, the school principal, Harveer Singh Jakhar, took a sensitive and commendable initiative. He held a meeting with the school staff and proposed collectively arranging the marriage of both daughters. The principal stated that these daughters were not just the children of an employee, but the responsibility of the entire school family.
The staff readily accepted the proposal without hesitation. Subsequently, they contacted two philanthropists for financial assistance. The effort didn’t stop there; appeals for support were made to people in neighboring villages.
Three Villages Unite in Support
The principal and school staff’s initiative had a profound impact. Residents of Lasari village, along with those from Lunoda and Netdon ki Dhani, joined the noble cause. Some donated grain, others provided clothing, some contributed cash, and others offered their labor and time. Every household extended a helping hand.
On December 13th, permission was obtained from the administration for the sisters’ wedding. The government school building was then beautifully decorated. The school grounds began to resemble a wedding palace.
The School Becomes a Home
All the rituals associated with Pooja and Sunita’s wedding were completed within the school premises. For the past ten days, the school’s atmosphere had completely transformed. All auspicious ceremonies, such as the Haldi, Mehndi, Pelae Chawal (yellow rice), and women’s music, were held here. The female teachers of the school played the roles of mothers and relatives during these events.
Women from the village sang traditional auspicious songs, blessing the two daughters. The wedding invitations were also printed from the village. The entire responsibility, from writing the cards to delivering them door-to-door, was jointly undertaken by the school staff and villagers, making the wedding a collective event for the entire village.
The School is Moved During the Wedding Vows
Special arrangements were made within the school premises on the wedding day. Guests were welcomed in the traditional Rajasthani style. Schoolgirls, dressed in Rajasthani attire, were seen welcoming guests with Tilak (a mark on the forehead). School staff and villagers warmly received guests with pearl necklaces.
The wedding vows ceremony also took place within the school grounds. During this time, many teachers and villagers became emotional. They said that today they were not just teachers, but guardians of these daughters.
Food arrangements were made in one place. People of all castes and classes set aside their differences and sat together to share a meal. This scene conveyed a b message of social harmony and brotherhood. The wedding vows were completed in the late evening, and both sisters entered into marital bonds.
In the Daughters’ Words
Pooja’s marriage was to Mahendra, a resident of Manana village near Makrana, and Sunita’s marriage was to Narsi, a resident of Kichak village in the Deedwana area.
Pooja said emotionally, ‘Today, the entire village has come together because of us. We will always miss our father, but we are happy that the whole village is standing with us as our family.’
Sunita also said that she never felt alone. She received support from the school staff and villagers at every step.
Panchayat Samiti member Mahendra Shekhawat said that Principal Harveer Singh Jakhar’s initiative is inspiring for the entire village. He said, 'This is not just the marriage of two daughters, but the beginning of a change in society. Now, these daughters belong not only to the school but to the entire village.'
