Paritala Sriram, son of slain Paritala Ravindra, has chosen a different to route to take a plunge into electoral politics in 2019. Continuing the tradition of mass marriages for poor families in the drought hit areas of Anantapur district,launched by his father, he is organizing mass marriages for about 250 families this week. As marriage had always posed a financial burden for poorer sections of this chronic drought prone area, Ravindra thought of mass marriages as a way to provide them relief- a great hit. Couples are given a pair of new clothes, Thali botttu and mettelu followed by marriage feast during the program.
Ravidra, labor minister in previous Chandrababu Naidu’s government, had changed the complexion of Rayalaseema (faction) politics. Blood flowed aplenty in the fields of the region. Many rivals had to flee from Anantapur district for sheer survival. In fact, it was this faction politics, which reached peak between 1994 and 2004 that had provided staple theme for a new genre of Telugu movies. After 2004 defeat of TDP, things had gone upside down for the region’s bravest factionist, who earned the moniker of Robinhood of Rayalaseema. Ravi fell victim to the retaliatory faction killings during YSR regime. Between 2004 and 2014, attempts were made to drag Paritala Sriram , Ravi’s son, into factional politics and finish him politically. But, he survived all the attempts. Later, he has revived his father’s practice of conducting mass marriages, to earn new acceptability among the people of the region. Sriram is a different kettle of fish compared to the TDP leaders’ son who are engaged in high-speed car races and other despicable activities.
Ravindra started mass marriages in 2004, months before his assassination. First program was held on February 8, 2004 at Sri Tirumala Devara Devastanam, near Mutyalapalli, Ramagiri Mandal, Anantapur district. Rs 1 crore had been spent on the program in which more than 1000 couple tied knot. After his death, Sriram revived the program as part of Parital Ravindra Memorial Trust’s activities. This year’s program is being held on April 21 between 9.45 am and 11.05 during Midhuna Lagnam. Chief Minister Naidu will attend the program as chief guest.
About 250 families from the district are said to have registered for the marriage.
“Families in the district face severe financial stress to get their daughters married. As the drought has already hit them financially, we are planning this program to help the families conduct the marriages without any cost. This year is fourth year after the formation of Paritala Ravindra Memorial Trust,” he said.
