On the occasion two courageous youths Sirajul Islam and Mizanur Rahman married two teens Farida Akhtar Banu and Rubi Begum without taking dowry.

Ultra poor Atiqul Islam,65, of East Balagzam village and Reazuddin of Chaoradangi village were suffering from mental agony as they could not marry off their marriageable daughters due to would-be bridegrooms' demand for dowry.

Finally the poor fathers saw a ray of hope when 'Village Federations' came forward to solve their problems delighfully.

Village Federation is an organisation being run by RDRS (Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Service) beneficiaries. It was formed in all the villages of Jalaldhaka upazila. Jaldhaka Upazila Federation is their central committee. The Federation leaders told The Daily Star it is their work to identify problems and find out a solution. They also fight against dowry, repression on women and children and acid violence. They create fund by their own subscription while RDRS provides them moral and coordinated support, according to Village Federation leaders.

RDRS launched the programme from Harish Chandra Path village about three months back. The aim was to create awareness against dowry and its elimination from society. Village Federation started motivating people and convinced 10 bridegrooms and their parents to make arrangement for marriage without dowry.

The wedding ceremony which was discussed at the beginning of this story was the first one.

At the beginning of the actual ceremony, a big colourful procession was brought out in Jaldhaka town. Processionists chanted various anti-dowry slogans while parading different streets.

After that a discussion meeting was held at the stadium. Upazila Federation president Atiar Rahman presided over the meeting.

The deputy commissioner (DC) of Nilphamari Safiul Alam was chief guest at the meeting. In his speech he expressed that he was overwhelmed at the sight of such a big crowd in a noble occasion. He said that it was indeed a positive sign of awareness among poor people against dowry. He lauded the role of poor people's organisation Village Federation. He requested the Federation members to eliminate dowry from at least Jaldhaka upazila. He assured all possible help from the district administration and said that there are strict laws against dowry.

The DC said when womenfolk would be educated and self- reliant wage earners, only then total elimination of dowry from society would be possible. He also cited various steps taken by the government for spreading female education allover.

The special guest of the function and administrative director of RDRS Dr Nurul Islam said that the government and NGOs had taken various steps to eliminate dowry, repression on women and children and establishment of basic rights of people. But he said when general people become conscious and come forward with open mind then the social curses vanish.

Senior programme manager of RDRS, Nilphamari Liaqat Ali Khan disclosed that Village Federation is an organisation which performs their work independently. He said that RDRS only coordinates and advise them while performing their task.

Jaldhaka upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) Saodagor Mustafizur Rahman also addressed the meeting.

President of the meeting Atiar Rahman, also president of Upazila Fedaration, Jaldhaka in his speech said that members of Village Federation organised the dowry-free marriage ceremony utilising their popular subscription.

After the meeting, brides and bridegrooms came to the stage in presence of a big audience and other guests.

A local religious priest performed the rituals and the 'Qazi' of Jaldhaka registered the marriage.

Amidst cheering and applause from the audience, the DC handed over the brides to bridegrooms' hands. It was certainly a big roaring against dowry.

He also handed over saplings of fruit-bearing and wooden trees to the brides. He also distributed a Black Bengal Goat to a bride.

Afterwards, 'munajat' was offered for happy and long lasting conjugal life of the couples.

When this correspondent asked bridegroom Sirajul Islam to tell the reason of his bold decision, he replied he is well enough to earn money for maintenance of his family. So he hated to depend on his father-in-law's charity, he added .

In a similar way, other bridegroom Mizanur Rahman said he was honoured greatly by the villagers for not taking dowry from in-laws.

Both the brides expressed their gratitude to Village Federation for the happy marriage.