Patna: In a stark contrast to pompous wedding celebrations, Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s (SuMo) elder son Utkarsh’s nuptial on Sunday set an example of simplicity and austerity with at least 150 attendees pledging to donate their organs during the ceremony.

Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi’s elder son Utkarsh’s marriage on Sunday set an example with at least 150 attendees pledging to donate their organs during the ceremony.

The rituals, which started around 3pm, were held at Bihar Veterinary College ground and marked by the absence of band, baja, baraat. Instead, anti-dowry songs were played and at least 350 people took pledge to get married or marry their offspring without taking dowry.

Instead of food counters, there were kiosks dedicated to Dadhichi Deh Daan Samiti (a body and organ donation organisation which SuMo patronises), and saw150 people signing undertakings for donating organs after their death. Contrary to the cacophony of ‘normal’ weddings, Vedic marriage mantras were recited by pundits and singers from Mumbai. As far as food is concerned, the guests were offered tea and served packets containing four Naivedya laddoos (generally known as Tirupati laddoo) with a ‘Swachch Bharat’ message written. They were asked to throw the empty packets in dustbins.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad, whose family has been lately on SuMo’s line of fire, praised the “peaceful” wedding. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also praised the recitation of Vedic mantras.