Indian wedding Web site has no dowry clause

Indian grooms sign 'no dowry' clause on Web site

Nearly 6,000 people have signed up to www.idontwantdowry.com, aiming at eradicating dowry

Tony Tharakan

Monday, October 15, 2007

"I just want to focus on this issue for now."

Police say the most common form of domestic violence in India is dowry-related and that one case of cruelty is committed by the husband or his relatives every nine minutes.

Taking inspiration from 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, whose Grameen Bank in Bangladesh lifted millions out of poverty, Naresh said he wants to take the grassroots approach in his war against dowry.

He has started a classifieds section on the Web site, aimed at people in rural areas who are unlikely to surf the Internet.

"They give us the details on our customer service helpline and we put it up as classifieds on the Web site, so that people can get back to them on the phone," said Naresh.

As part of the Web site's activities, all registered members can check out prospective brides and grooms face to face at 'Swayamvarams', or matrimonial meetings, held at a common venue.

At these events, those in attendance take a pledge that they will not encourage the practice of dowry.

The Web site, with the tagline "I want just u, I don't want dowry" -- does not owe its origin to its founder's personal experiences: at 34, Naresh is still unmarried.

©Reuters

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SUDHEER said on 2/24/2008 3:52:29 PM:
ITS A VERY GOOD STEP AGAINST SUCH A DEADLY ANTI SOCIAL ELEMENT LIKE DOWRY.

to SUDHEER

Prem Rao said on 10/15/2007 1:44:33 PM:
"I want just u, I dont want dowry" -- does not owe its origin to its founders personal experiences: at 34, Naresh is still unmarried." and presumably does not want dowry! Excellent start in a most noble cause.

to Prem Rao