“Beggar Baba” Helps Poor Girls Marry

Rama Shankar, a native of the city Ramgarh in Uttar Pradesh backward Sonbhadra district in India, has so far arranged marriages of 600 girls. He is popularly called “Bhikhari (beggar) Baba”.

Shankar, a caretaker of a small temple of Shiva in Ramgarh, was holding mass weddings every year since 2005 by collecting alms with his 20-odd followers.

“I do not really mind when some people say,” Dekha bhikari aa Money Hai (see the beggar is coming) and leave the place they see me approaching them. My conscience is clear … I am not begging for myself but for the happiness of poor girls,” 57-year-old Shankar said

“It’s really great when you see a smile on the faces of the poor, defenseless girls thanks for the exercise of their marriages. I pray that I continue to give alms while I’m alive to maintain the functions of the mass wedding,” said Shankar , who refuses to talk about his personal life.

Each month, Shankar and his followers to walk in some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for nearly 15 days, begging for money. Even if the exercise is ongoing throughout the year, Shankar gave a date for holding the function promising mass wedding in his hometown.

“Although we have to directly approach people to get the alms, there are many people who generously give money when they get to know our mission to help poor girls,” said Shankar.

“There are many businessmen, officials and even politicians, who often have large economic contribution,” said Shankar, who preferred not to name the donors.

Shankar embarked on this noble adventure in 2005 after meeting a tragic incident.

“While I was sitting in front of a temple, I saw a young rest in the shade of a tree. It appeared he had some difficulty breathing. When I went to him for help he told me he was very worried for the marriage of her younger sister. Before I could ask for anything more, he’s dead, “said Shankar.

“Later, I came to know his name Santosh Kumar. He had lost his parents and was in tension after a man refused to marry his sister because of problems of dowry. It was then decided to devote my remaining life this cause, “he said.

After the event, Shankar organized a simple function, in which 21 poor girls were married, including the sister of Kumar.

All kinds of people come Shankar to get their daughters married the only condition is to be in difficult circumstances. The ceremony takes place mainly during the winter.

“A big party is organized on the occasion. In addition, the newlyweds is endowed with everyday objects as instruments, watches and create to help them start a new life,” said Harikesh Kishore, a native of Ramgarh , who works as a helper at a dairy.

Sukanya,Kishore daughter was married to a mechanic.  Mass wedding function organized by Shankar two years ago.

According to local people, Shankar also helps to find the appropriate match for girls. “He commanded great respect in most areas and surrounding districts Sonbhadra. The families of married prospective not say no if Baba is applying for a marriage proposal,” said Hemant Kashi, a daily wage laborer in Ramgarh.

“Baba has promised me that my daughter would get her life partner in the upcoming wedding ceremony. All we really be in debt to Baba for his noble mission,” he said.

Long live “shankar baba”.