Ulta pulta

Bride & bribe
Jaspal Bhatti

Matrimonial alliances are very sensitive in nature. But the most insensitive information that can be conveyed to the girl’s family is, "Behenji, our son gets 50,000 as extra income besides his salary".

The bride-to-be gets a fair idea that if she will be able to meet her parlour and kitty party expenses with this ooper ki kamai. The monthly bribery allowance is these days more important than imandari ke char paise. Most of the parents of the girls look down upon their son-in-law if he turns out to be an honest fellow.

But a strange case surfaced a few days back in Vishakhapatnam. A woman Madhumati went on indefinite fast in protest against her husband who is habitually corrupt.

She claims that she has advised her husband many a times to keep away from accepting bribes.

But instead of understanding her point of view, he has kicked her out with their two children.

In today’s world, it has become even more important for the boy’s family to secretly investigate the character of the girl. "Kahin is ladki ko imandari ke doare to nahin padte?(Does this girl get fits of honesty?)

HOME