Latest news with #JalShaktiDepartment
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
2 Himachal brothers marry same woman: What is polyandry? Is it legal?
Two brothers in Himachal Pradesh, Pradeep and Kapil Negi, have tied the knot with Sunita Chauhan in a ceremony attended by hundreds of relatives and villagers. The men, belonging to the Hatti tribe, carried the centuries-old tradition of polyandry in the Shillai village of the Sirmaur district. The trio say the union is consensual. But is the practice legal in India? read more A woman in Himachal Pradesh has married two brothers of the Hatti tribe. Sunita Chauhan has tied the knot with Pradeep and Kapil Negi of the Shillai village in the Sirmaur district. Celebrating the centuries-old tradition of polyandry, the two brothers and the woman publicly held the nuptials. The trio say they have willingly entered the alliance. Let's take a closer look. What is polyandry? Polyandry refers to the practice of having more than one husband at a time. The custom, known as 'Jodidara' in Himachal Pradesh, is followed by the Hattis and some other communities in the lower Himalayas. The practice is also called 'Draupadi Pratha' after the Mahabharat's Draupadi, who married five brothers – the Pandavas. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Besides villages in the Trans Giri area, the tradition is prevalent in Jaunsar Babar, a tribal area of Uttarakhand and Kinnaur, a tribal district in HP. Two brothers marry same woman in Himachal The wedding of two brothers with the same woman in Himachal Pradesh's Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district has caught national attention. While it is not an unusual affair for the locals, the custom of polyandry among the Hatti tribe has surprised many across the country. Grooms Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village married their bride, Sunita Chauhan, a woman from the nearby Kunhat village, in a ceremony that kicked off on July 12 and lasted for three days in the Trans-Giri area, as per a PTI report. Videos from the ceremony, being celebrated with local folk songs and dances, have gone viral on social media. Hundreds of villagers and relatives from nearby regions were part of the celebrations. Pradeep works for the Jal Shakti Department, while his younger brother, Kapil, is employed abroad in the hospitality sector. 'This was our joint decision, it's a matter of trust, care and shared responsibility. We followed our tradition openly because we're proud of our roots,' Pradeep told The Tribune. VIDEO | Himachal Pradesh: Two brothers of the Hatti tribe tied the knot to a woman in Shillai village, with hundreds of people witnessing the marriage solemnised under the anachronistic tradition of polyandry. The ceremony began on July 12 and lasted for three days in the… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 21, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We've always believed in transparency. I may live abroad, but through this marriage, we're ensuring support, stability and love for our wife as a united family,' Kapil said. Sunita said she was aware of the tradition and decided to marry the brothers without any pressure. 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I know this tradition, and I chose it willingly. We have made this commitment together, and I believe in the bond we have formed,' she was quoted as saying by the newspaper. How common is polyandry in Himachal? The Hatti community, present in the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border, has been practising polyandry for centuries. It was declared a Scheduled Tribe three years ago. Almost three lakh people belonging to the Hatti community live in about 450 villages in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district. Five cases of polyandry have been reported in Badhana village in Trans-Giri over the past six years, reported PTI. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Experts say the tradition of polyandry started as a bid to avoid the division of ancestral land, to ensure no woman remained widowed and to maintain unity in families. Sometimes, women are 'expected' to take the brother of the man they married as their husband due to a lack of resources. A woman in Jamna village of Sirmaur was told by her husband to tie the knot with his brother when he grew of age. The woman told India Today she used to pack her brother-in-law's lunch when he was in school. She said there was abject poverty when she first came to her marital home 25 years ago. 'There was just one woollen sweater and one pair of slippers. So, my mother-in-law and I shared them. When a sweater and a pair of slippers were being shared, I obviously had to be shared,' the woman, now in her 40s, said. ALSO READ: What is solo polyamory? How is it different from traditional polyamory? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Are such marriages legal? Indian law does not permit polyandry. However, it allows for the protection of the customs and traditions of its many tribes. The Hatti community is governed by the Hindu Marriage Act. As per NDTV, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has protected the custom of polyandry among the tribe under 'Jodidar Law'. Children born out of these 'joint-marriages' are adopted under Wajib-ul-Arz, a record of customs and traditions within a village, which gives sanctity to"Jodidaran Prata". 'The name of the father gets into panchayat records through Wajib-ul-Arz, and that works for all official purposes,' Kundan Singh Shastri, general secretary of the Central Hatti Committee, told India Today last year. With inputs from agencies
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
In Rare Open Celebration Of Polyandry, 2 Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman: 'Proud Of Tradition'
Hatti Polyandry tradition in Himachal Pradesh gains attention as Pradeep and Kapil Negi marry Sunita Chauhan, celebrating cultural legacy openly. India is known for its rich and diverse wedding rituals. These traditions vary by region, religion and community, but often involve elaborate ceremonies, vibrant colors, music, dance and symbolic rituals. Recently, an age-old Hatti Polyandry tradition of Himachal Pradesh caught the attention of viewers, where two brothers got married to a single woman. According to The Tribune, Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur district got married to Sunita Chauhan, a woman from the nearby Kunhat village, in a ceremony steeped in the cultural legacy of the Hatti community, breaking the silence on a practice long kept behind closed doors. The event, which was held with complete mutual consent and community participation, was a rare open celebration of polyandry—an age-old ritual in which brothers share a wife. Know More About the Tradition: Polyandry, also known as Jodidaran or Draupadi Pratha, is a traditional practice among the Hatti community of Himachal Pradesh in which multiple brothers share a single wife. This custom, which is common in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district and other parts of Uttarakhand, stems from a desire to preserve family unity and prevent the partition of ancestral land and ensuring that no woman remains widowed. While still practiced, its prevalence is declining due to cultural changes and the impact of modern conventions. Pradeep, the eldest brother, works for the Jal Shakti Department, while Kapil is employed in the hospitality industry abroad. Despite living worlds away, the brothers united in spirit and determination to take the holy vows with Sunita, participating equally in all wedding rituals. Speaking about their unusual marriage, Pradeep said, 'This was a mutual decision," adding that it is about trust, caring and shared responsibility. 'We followed our custom openly because we are proud of our history." Kapil, on the other hand, shared, 'We have always believed in transparency. I may reside overseas, but this marriage ensures support, security and affection for our wife as a united family." Lastly, the bride said, 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I am aware of this tradition, and I selected it willingly. We made this pledge together, and I have faith in the bond we have built." The Marriage: Spanning three days, the wedding rituals saw several villagers and relatives from nearby locations coming to see this rare yet culturally significant union. Guests were treated to traditional Trans-Giri food, which included specific local delicacies often made for weddings in the region. The atmosphere was happy, with people dancing enthusiastically to Pahari traditional songs, singing and bestowing heartfelt blessings on the bride and both grooms for a happy marriage. view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 09:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
In Rare Open Celebration Of Polyandry, 2 Himachal Brothers Marry Same Woman: ‘Proud Of Tradition'
Hatti Polyandry tradition in Himachal Pradesh gains attention as Pradeep and Kapil Negi marry Sunita Chauhan, celebrating cultural legacy openly. India is known for its rich and diverse wedding rituals. These traditions vary by region, religion and community, but often involve elaborate ceremonies, vibrant colors, music, dance and symbolic rituals. Recently, an age-old Hatti Polyandry tradition of Himachal Pradesh caught the attention of viewers, where two brothers got married to a single woman. According to The Tribune, Pradeep Negi and Kapil Negi of Shillai village in Sirmaur district got married to Sunita Chauhan, a woman from the nearby Kunhat village, in a ceremony steeped in the cultural legacy of the Hatti community, breaking the silence on a practice long kept behind closed doors. The event, which was held with complete mutual consent and community participation, was a rare open celebration of polyandry—an age-old ritual in which brothers share a wife. Know More About the Tradition: Polyandry, also known as Jodidaran or Draupadi Pratha, is a traditional practice among the Hatti community of Himachal Pradesh in which multiple brothers share a single wife. This custom, which is common in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district and other parts of Uttarakhand, stems from a desire to preserve family unity and prevent the partition of ancestral land and ensuring that no woman remains widowed. While still practiced, its prevalence is declining due to cultural changes and the impact of modern conventions. Pradeep, the eldest brother, works for the Jal Shakti Department, while Kapil is employed in the hospitality industry abroad. Despite living worlds away, the brothers united in spirit and determination to take the holy vows with Sunita, participating equally in all wedding rituals. Speaking about their unusual marriage, Pradeep said, 'This was a mutual decision," adding that it is about trust, caring and shared responsibility. 'We followed our custom openly because we are proud of our history." Kapil, on the other hand, shared, 'We have always believed in transparency. I may reside overseas, but this marriage ensures support, security and affection for our wife as a united family." Lastly, the bride said, 'This was my choice. I was never pressured. I am aware of this tradition, and I selected it willingly. We made this pledge together, and I have faith in the bond we have built." The Marriage: Spanning three days, the wedding rituals saw several villagers and relatives from nearby locations coming to see this rare yet culturally significant union. Guests were treated to traditional Trans-Giri food, which included specific local delicacies often made for weddings in the region. The atmosphere was happy, with people dancing enthusiastically to Pahari traditional songs, singing and bestowing heartfelt blessings on the bride and both grooms for a happy marriage. view comments First Published: July 19, 2025, 09:54 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Himachal: Sukhu announces ₹7 crore relief for restoration work in disaster-affected areas in Mandi
Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced an immediate relief amount of ₹7 crore to carry out restoration work in disaster-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district. Himachal: Sukhu announces ₹ 7 crore relief for restoration work in disaster-affected areas in Mandi On the second day of his tour, the chief minister visited Thunag, Bagsiad, Deji, Bara and Syanj villages, and reviewed the damage caused by the recent cloudbursts. He assured all possible support from the state government to affected families. The chief minister said the state Cabinet would soon discuss and announce a special relief package for those impacted by the disaster. Fifteen people lost their lives, five sustained injuries, and 27 are still missing after 10 cloudbursts triggered flash floods and a landslide in Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. The calamity caused large-scale destruction, affecting 1,184 houses, 710 cow sheds and 201 shops. As many as 780 livestock also perished in the disaster. According to an official statement, ₹2 crore was released earlier, and an additional ₹2 crore each has now been allocated to the Public Works Department and the Jal Shakti Department. One crore rupee will be provided to the Block Development Office to expedite restoration work. In Deji village alone, 11 people are still missing due to a cloudburst. Two deaths were reported from Bara and four from Syanj village, where five people are still unaccounted for. The chief minister, who interacted with affected families at the Pakhrar Panchayat Ghar, directed revenue officers to immediately assess all types of losses. He instructed officials to declare as 'completely damaged' any houses filled with silt or debris or those deemed unsafe to live in, so that maximum compensation can be provided. The chief minister also assured compensation for damaged household goods and perished livestock, and issued special instructions to assess losses suffered by horticulturists and apple growers. Calling the disaster "massive," the chief minister said rehabilitation would take time, but the government would provide full support to the victims. While in Bara, the chief minister said the government was considering a one-time settlement policy for resettling families displaced by natural calamities. Since 68 per cent of land in Himachal Pradesh is classified as forest land, permission from the Centre would be sought to rehabilitate affected families on forest land, he added. To ensure the education of students continues without disruption, the chief minister said that classes for the Forestry and Horticulture College in Thunag would temporarily be held in Sundernagar, Mandi district. In Thunag, schoolgirls apprised the chief minister of the damage to their school building. Responding to their concern, he announced the opening of a CBSE-affiliated school in the area. He said major roads have been reopened and restoration of village link roads was being carried out on a war footing. On Wednesday evening, the chief minister had directed officials to closely coordinate with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to accelerate relief and rehabilitation work in Mandi. The directions came after the two leaders jointly reviewed the situation and inspected the flood-ravaged Thunag market area. The chief minister asked officials to expedite the restoration of roads, drinking water supply and electricity. He said he would soon visit Delhi to seek a special relief package from Union ministers. He directed departments to prepare detailed project reports for damaged roads, bridges, and water and electricity supply schemes within a week. He specifically mentioned the 56-km Chail Chowk–Janjheli road, which will be proposed under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund for strengthening. Despite the destruction, the chief minister noted that 60 per cent of drinking water schemes had been temporarily restored. He directed the Public Works Department to ensure connectivity through the construction of bailey and suspension bridges, for which the government would provide necessary funds. The chief minister and Thakur also discussed the urgent need to resettle families who have lost land and shelter in the disaster. Thakur pointed out that with winter approaching, swift action is needed for their rehabilitation. The chief minister directed the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, to identify safe locations for temporary resettlement and install prefabricated structures to provide immediate shelter. He reiterated the need to assess the losses suffered by horticulturists, a key economic group in the region. On Wednesday night, the chief minister stayed at the Thunag rest house with affected families and reviewed the facilities being provided to them, the statement added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Climate
- NDTV
Himachal Chief Minister Announces Rs 7 Crore Relief For Disaster-Hit Mandi
Shimla: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced an immediate relief amount of Rs 7 crore to carry out restoration work in disaster-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district On the second day of his tour, the chief minister visited Thunag, Bagsiad, Deji, Bara and Syanj villages, and reviewed the damage caused by the recent cloudbursts. He assured all possible support from the state government to affected families. The chief minister said the state Cabinet would soon discuss and announce a special relief package for those impacted by the disaster. Fifteen people lost their lives, five sustained injuries, and 27 are still missing after 10 cloudbursts triggered flash floods and a landslide in Mandi district on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1. The calamity caused large-scale destruction, affecting 1,184 houses, 710 cow sheds and 201 shops. As many as 780 livestock also perished in the disaster. According to an official statement, Rs 2 crore was released earlier, and an additional Rs 2 crore each has now been allocated to the Public Works Department and the Jal Shakti Department. One crore rupee will be provided to the Block Development Office to expedite restoration work. In Deji village alone, 11 people are still missing due to a cloudburst. Two deaths were reported from Bara and four from Syanj village, where five people are still unaccounted for. The chief minister, who interacted with affected families at the Pakhrar Panchayat Ghar, directed revenue officers to immediately assess all types of losses. He instructed officials to declare as "completely damaged" any houses filled with silt or debris or those deemed unsafe to live in, so that maximum compensation can be provided. The chief minister also assured compensation for damaged household goods and perished livestock, and issued special instructions to assess losses suffered by horticulturists and apple growers. Calling the disaster "massive," the chief minister said rehabilitation would take time, but the government would provide full support to the victims. While in Bara, the chief minister said the government was considering a one-time settlement policy for resettling families displaced by natural calamities. Since 68 per cent of land in Himachal Pradesh is classified as forest land, permission from the Centre would be sought to rehabilitate affected families on forest land, he added. To ensure the education of students continues without disruption, the chief minister said that classes for the Forestry and Horticulture College in Thunag would temporarily be held in Sundernagar, Mandi district. In Thunag, schoolgirls apprised the chief minister of the damage to their school building. Responding to their concern, he announced the opening of a CBSE-affiliated school in the area. He said major roads have been reopened and restoration of village link roads was being carried out on a war footing. On Wednesday evening, the chief minister had directed officials to closely coordinate with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur to accelerate relief and rehabilitation work in Mandi. The directions came after the two leaders jointly reviewed the situation and inspected the flood-ravaged Thunag market area. The chief minister asked officials to expedite the restoration of roads, drinking water supply and electricity. He said he would soon visit Delhi to seek a special relief package from Union ministers. He directed departments to prepare detailed project reports for damaged roads, bridges, and water and electricity supply schemes within a week. He specifically mentioned the 56-km Chail Chowk-Janjheli road, which will be proposed under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for strengthening. Despite the destruction, the chief minister noted that 60 per cent of drinking water schemes had been temporarily restored. He directed the Public Works Department to ensure connectivity through the construction of bailey and suspension bridges, for which the government would provide necessary funds. The chief minister and Thakur also discussed the urgent need to resettle families who have lost land and shelter in the disaster. Thakur pointed out that with winter approaching, swift action is needed for their rehabilitation. The chief minister directed the Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, to identify safe locations for temporary resettlement and install prefabricated structures to provide immediate shelter. He reiterated the need to assess the losses suffered by horticulturists, a key economic group in the region. On Wednesday night, the chief minister stayed at the Thunag rest house with affected families and reviewed the facilities being provided to them, the statement added.
