The goat ‘swayamvar’ event concluded peacefully at Pantwari village in Tehri district on Sunday. An NGO started hosting the unique event from last year to make farmers aware of rearing improved variety of goat for good returns.
This time, the event was in the news for the wrong reasons. Two cabinet ministers of the Trivendra Rawat government were caught in a verbal duel with regard to the event.
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj asserted that organising goat marriage was fine but ‘Vedic mantas’ should not be recited in the ceremony. The issue took another turn when Animal Husbandry Minister Rekha Arya decided to withdraw her department from the event.
About a thousand villagers gathered to witness the goat marriage at village Pantwarion Sunday. Renowned folk singer Narendra Negi was the chief guest on the occasion.
The parade of the goats and marriage took place to enthral one and all present at Pantwari. Negi said, “The marriage part is more of a drama, but the concept is noble to educate the farmers to opt for improved variety of goats for earning high profits. This event also provided a platform to people involved in animal husbandry to share their experiences.”
The Green People, an NGO based in Tehri, began hosting goat ‘Swayamvar’ last year. The Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board provided support in the unique event last year, aimed at improving goat breed. The 2017 edition witnessed normal marriage rituals, including ‘jai mala,’ ‘saath pheras’ and ‘bidai’. The small village, about 85 km from Dehradun, attracted big media attention due to the unusual event.