DEHRADUN: Nearly two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, lavish gifts and high-cost customs at weddings to curb rising social pressure and restore traditional practices. The rules, agreed upon unanimously by village representatives in the Jaunsar Bawar area, aim to return wedding celebrations to their cultural roots and reduce financial strain on families. Anyone violating the norms will be fined Rs 1 lakh by the gram panchayat.Rajender Tomar, head of the Doha village cluster, told TOI that the increasing display of wealth during weddings had created unhealthy competition in the region. “These customs were becoming a competition and creating unnecessary pressure,” he said. Villages including Dau, Doha, Chutou, Bajau, Ghingo and Kaitri are among those enforcing the new policy.As part of the decision, food items such as chowmein, momos and other fastfood snacks have been barred from wedding menus. Families are encouraged to serve traditional Garhwali cuisine made from local ingredients such as mandua and jhingora millets. The exchange of expensive gifts and luxury items has also been prohibited. Karmu Pal, a resident of Kyawa village, supported the move. “We’re happy our local cuisine and culture are being promoted. The new generation won’t forget where they come from.”The sentiment echoed in neighbouring Naugaon in Uttarkashi, where residents of Koti Thakral and Koti Banal agreed to ban DJ music and alcohol at weddings. Traditional folk music and local instrumentswill be mandatory at celebrations.About the AuthorShivani AzadShivani Azad is a TOI journalist who covers Environment, Wildlife, Medical and Social subjects.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPiyush Goyal Meets PM Netanyahu, President Herzog As India-Israel FTA Talks Gain Momentum‘Sindh May Return To India Again’: Rajnath Singh’s Big Remark On India-Pakistan Border’No Longer Optional’: PM Modi Calls For UNSC Reforms At IBSA Meet; Urges United Stand Against Terror‘Extensive Misinformation’: French Navy Slams Pakistan Media Report Over Op Sindoor ClaimsModi Pitches New Era Of Unified Global Response With Satellite Data And Minerals Initiative”Govt Is Making Sure Muslims Never Raise Their Heads”: Jamiat Chief On Al-Falah ActionIAF Officer Namansh Syal Flown Back to India After Tejas Jet Crash in Dubai Air ShowShah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute To Victims Of Pahalgam And Delhi Blasts at Global Peace Honours 2025Piyush Goyal Completes Three Day Israel Visit Emphasizing Strengthened Ties And Future CooperationTrump Says He Brokered Eight Peace Deals Including India And Pakistan During Mamdani Meet123PhotostoriesTop 5 Delhi markets for wedding shopping every bride must visitAriana Grande and Cynthia Erivo: 5 co-stars who went from strangers to best friendsFun English family dramas you simply can’t missBeyond the cape: Unveiling the top superhero animeRashmika Mandanna’s chic-cosy winter wardrobe is worth bookmarkingBetter sleep to heart health: Top 5 benefits of walking for 15-minutes right after mealsSonam Kapoor to Ananya Panday: Today’s most viral celebrity fashion moments7 beautiful night-blooming flowers with invigorating fragranceMeet the actress whose debut was a massive flop, then delivered India’s first Rs 1000-crore blockbuster11 incredible things about rhinos that will surprise you123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayBihar Minister List 2025Bihar CM Oath CeremonyGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingNHL InjuryAuston Matthews InjuryCola Social Security PaymentsBrittany MahomesCanada Citizenship ActMichael IrvinSmriti MandhanaJosh Allen InjuryTejas CrashFortnite Chapter 7 Leaked
DEHRADUN: Nearly two dozen villages in Uttarakhand’s Chakrata region have collectively banned fast food, lavish gifts and high-cost customs at weddings to curb rising social pressure and restore traditional practices. The rules, agreed upon unanimously by village representatives in the Jaunsar Bawar area, aim to return wedding celebrations to their cultural roots and reduce financial strain on families. Anyone violating the norms will be fined Rs 1 lakh by the gram panchayat.Rajender Tomar, head of the Doha village cluster, told TOI that the increasing display of wealth during weddings had created unhealthy competition in the region. “These customs were becoming a competition and creating unnecessary pressure,” he said. Villages including Dau, Doha, Chutou, Bajau, Ghingo and Kaitri are among those enforcing the new policy.As part of the decision, food items such as chowmein, momos and other fastfood snacks have been barred from wedding menus. Families are encouraged to serve traditional Garhwali cuisine made from local ingredients such as mandua and jhingora millets. The exchange of expensive gifts and luxury items has also been prohibited. Karmu Pal, a resident of Kyawa village, supported the move. “We’re happy our local cuisine and culture are being promoted. The new generation won’t forget where they come from.”The sentiment echoed in neighbouring Naugaon in Uttarkashi, where residents of Koti Thakral and Koti Banal agreed to ban DJ music and alcohol at weddings. Traditional folk music and local instrumentswill be mandatory at celebrations.