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| India-Pakistan |
| Night weddings return as violence ebbs in Kashmir |
| 2006-09-08 |
| SRINAGAR, India - Scores of heavily armed security patrols are not the only sight at night on the streets of Kashmir’s main city at the moment. On show are cars decorated with brightly coloured flowers, carrying brides and grooms, accompanied by processions of vehicles filled with well-wishers, women singing traditional songs and fireworks exploding in the night sky. It’s the return of a centuries-old Kashmiri tradition of holding night marriage ceremonies, making a comeback to the restive Himalayan region after nearly 17 years, thanks to a relative drop in separatist violence. “It is like a dream come true,” 30-year-old groom, Muneer Ahmad, dressed in a turban, a long cream tunic and matching trousers, told Reuters on his wedding night in Srinagar. “I never thought I would ever celebrate my marriage at night,” he said, standing near a huge illuminated marquee, where hundreds of guests were being served “Wazwaan” -- a Kashmiri feast of over a dozen dishes. |
| Posted by:Steve White |