Sopore youth combat wedding extravagance for underprivileged families

Srinagar, Nov 1: Amid Kashmir’s vibrant wedding season, a group of young volunteers from north Kashmir’s Sopore launched “Panun Wazwaan,” a community-driven initiative to support underprivileged families by offering free wedding feast arrangements across the Valley.
With over 14 years in the profession of catering and fest arrangements, the team of five, led by Ashiq Ahmed, Aqib Ahmed, Waseem Ahmed, Mohammed Umar and Adil Ahmed has dedicated themselves to ensuring that families struggling financially can still enjoy a traditional Kashmiri wedding feast — offering it for free to families in need.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Ashiq Ahmed shared how the idea struck him only a few days ago. “I discussed it with the other members and they immediately gave their nod,” he said.
With a spirit of service, the team quickly organized under the name “Panun Wazwaan” (Our Feast) and is now ready to travel to any corner of Kashmir to set up wedding feasts free of charge.
Aqib Ahmed, another key member of the group, who was in an event, described how “Panun Wazwaan” aims to not only provide food but also the necessary utensils and arrangements.
“We launched this initiative to help those who cannot afford the expenses of a wedding, whether for food preparations or essential supplies. Our mission is to bridge the gap and ease the financial pressure on families who otherwise might feel compelled to forego the joy of a traditional wedding feast. The initiative has garnered significant praise from the local community, with a 60-year-old Ghulam Mohammed calling it an “eye-opener for society.”
He highlighted how the group’s efforts have encouraged others to reconsider the impact of social expectations on the economically disadvantaged.
In Kashmir, where wedding season is synonymous with the grand celebration of “wazwaan,” a multi-course traditional feast, such gestures carry significant weight.
Kashmiri weddings are typically known for their elaborate feasts, with a wide array of dishes like Rista, Tabak Maaz, Kabab, Rogan Josh, Gushtaba and others served in a carefully curated sequence.
However, the growing extravagance of these celebrations has placed a heavy financial burden on many families, often delaying marriages as people struggle to meet societal expectations.
This initiative not only alleviates the economic burden of hosting a wedding but also addresses the larger social issue of delayed marriages due to financial constraints. The group welcomes anyone in need to reach out via their contact, 8082420963, to bring this support to their families. (KNO)