DEHRADUN: Nearly two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, lavish gifts and high-cost customs at weddings to curb rising social pressure and restore traditional practices. The rules, agreed upon unanimously by village representatives in the Jaunsar Bawar area, aim to return wedding celebrations to their cultural roots and reduce financial strain on families. Anyone violating the norms will be fined Rs 1 lakh by the gram panchayat.Rajender Tomar, head of the Doha village cluster, told TOI that the increasing display of wealth during weddings had created unhealthy competition in the region. “These customs were becoming a competition and creating unnecessary pressure,” he said. Villages including Dau, Doha, Chutou, Bajau, Ghingo and Kaitri are among those enforcing the new policy.As part of the decision, food items such as chowmein, momos and other fastfood snacks have been barred from wedding menus. Families are encouraged to serve traditional Garhwali cuisine made from local ingredients such as mandua and jhingora millets. The exchange of expensive gifts and luxury items has also been prohibited. Karmu Pal, a resident of Kyawa village, supported the move. “We’re happy our local cuisine and culture are being promoted. The new generation won’t forget where they come from.”The sentiment echoed in neighbouring Naugaon in Uttarkashi, where residents of Koti Thakral and Koti Banal agreed to ban DJ music and alcohol at weddings. Traditional folk music and local instrumentswill be mandatory at celebrations.
