MANDI ADAMPUR: The Haryana Chief Minister, Bhajan Lal, on Sunday hosted a big feast here in connection with the marriage of his son. Kuldip Bishnoi, ‘The marriage took place on Monday night.
At least 40,000 people from the: Mandi Adampur constituency which he represents, attended the fabulous and sumptuous feast, which lasted seven hours.
Another 20,000 people, comprising officers, industrial is and professionals, had dinner at the Chief Minister’s residence here Sunday night
Saturday’s big bash was just the prelude to the actual show. 5,000 ‘song. Marriage party (barat) would leave here for Sangaria in Sriganganagar district of Rajathan, ‘on Monday for the wedding. This would be followed by reception at Chandigarh later attended by ‘among others, the Prime Minister, P.V Narasimha Rao.
Bhajan Lal was his familiar self, receiving all and sundry with folded hands. The men, in their spotless white and women, in their frilly “ghagras” and colorful “odhris”, started pouring in since 8:20 a.m. for what was supposed to be a lunch. And, they continued to come, in cars, tractor-trolleys, ‘and trucks, till 3:30 pm., the Guests cut across caste and craned their necks through the crowd to be noticed by the Chief Minister, who sat near the entrance to the massive shamiana surrounded by Black cat commandos most of the time .
The entire Mandi Adampur had been given a face lift. The roads had been melted after filing all potholes. The massive shed at the mandi had been cleared of cotton stoke to serve as parking lot for cars abd jeeps of the chief minister other dignitaries, Officers and the police. The police bandobast was extremely elaborated and tight. Machine-gun fitted jeeps were parked near the venue and police Personnel with automatic weapons were on all rooftops around. One had to get across at least three ‘metal detectors to reach the en- closure where food was being served. Pure ghee had disappeared from the market here and the surrounding areas for the last 15 days as the jocks had been bought up by the chief minister’s household. Milk had become scarce last week ‘only at Mandi Adampur, but even at Hisar 32km from here. The function wound up without single unpleasant incidents. Bhajan Lal did not accept any money by way of “ban” as the tradition warrants.
An observer felt that the proceeding cost well over a crore rupees (1 Crore is 10 million).
Article extracted from this publication >> November 22, 1991
