Paramveer Rathore, a civil services aspirant, married Nikita Bhati in Karaliya village on February 14. As part of customary dowry offering, his in-laws presented him with a decorated plate filled with cash worth Rs 5,51,000 during the \”tilak\” ceremony. The act has been widely praised on social media, and many families in the region are now reconsidering their stance on dowry. \”Ending dowry won’t happen overnight, but we have to start somewhere,\” Rathore said, adding that societal change must begin with individuals. The 30-year-old groom spoke to his father and other family members before deciding to return the dowry to the bride’s family. He said: \”I have studied a lot, and I felt that if educated people don’t take a stand, then who will? We must set an example,\” said the groom, who is from Jaisalmer in Rajasthan’s Rajasthani state.
