Sanjeev K. Sharma
JAMMU, May 21: Though the ongoing nationwide lockdown triggered by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic has a little affect on the marriages, yet those associated with such functions are suffering a lot.
From the cancellation of bookings with banquet halls and caterers to absolutely zero income to band parties and others has made the presence of Coronavirus felt in such services in Jammu.
“About 25 bookings in our banquet halls have been cancelled since the lockdown has been imposed by the authorities,” Sanjay Gupta, Proprietor of Jagat Resorts told this reporter.
“Otherwise in the months of April-May we use to get bookings till January-February of next year but nothing of that sort has happened this time,” he further said adding that all this has reduced the income of banquet halls to almost zero.
“Despite the crisis we have to pay salaries to our employees and bear expenses like power bills etc,” Gupta maintained.
With similar views, Anil Chopra, who owns the popular banquet hall under the name ‘Baby Caterers’ said, about 15 functions booked in his banquet hall have been cancelled.
Ajay Kumar, who runs a catering group with the name ‘Ajay and Party Caterers’ at Shakti Nagar area of Jammu said, right from the ending of March month, people started cancelling their bookings and orders with his group.
“With all this we have suffered losses, our goods have been damaged and the workers like cooks, waiters, dishwashers etc left jobless,” he informed.
Preferring to stay at home rather than remaining jobless in Jammu city, many migratory workers like waiters, cooks etc working with caterers and banquet halls have left for their home towns as they believed no work in near future because the authorities are clamping lockdown after lockdown albeit with certain relaxations.
Similarly, the Band parties are also sitting idle with their bands mum while marriages are progressing with limited number of guests and groom & bride appearing in masked faces.
However, certain banquet hall owners and caterers have urged upon the Government to give some compensation to the workers like cooks, waiters, dishwashers etc who are temporarily engaged by them (banquet hall owners and caterers) and presently such people are having a tough time in the lockdown as there is no work for them.
Under all such crisis, a Pandit has maintained his importance as certain rituals are performed exclusive by him for a normal Hindu marriage.
Meanwhile, president of Arya Pratinidhi Sabha J&K, Arun Chowdhary has informed that no marriage has been solemnised in any of the Arya Samaj temples of Jammu during the lockdown period.
It is pertinent to mention here that Arya Samaj is the sole organization authorized to issue certificates after properly performing marriages by fulfilling certain essential legal requirements.
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