A Process –Dowery

In many of the part of the world’s Country commonly Know the Term ‘DOWERY’. From the centuries this term is known by world , because from the ages it granted by the rulers by the Kings , By the rulers of the nation and possibly it granted by the people for their Reputation in the society . It means it is only the Tradition spread by the rulers to their people on behalf there constructed society or surrounding and people accept it in whole manner depending on there wealth situation and pass it to next generation as it all as they possible. If we take a short glance on this tradition then we will know that how it is going through ages.

Mostly Dowery system or tradition is seen or today also seen in India . Even if there are many restriction of Government or many ban over this tradition but it may be done by the people for there status. Now, we see it in brief, Dowery has been defined as “ by a younger lady prise paid by the parents for getting their daughter the post of daughter-in-law “. Parents pay huge sums of money so that their daughter may secure a satisfactory and permanent post. Unfortunately, the whole affair has assumed the proportions of scandal. The groom’s parents try to extract the maximum from matrimonial alliance. They insist on receiving huge amounts of cash, luxury items like television sets, VCR’s, refrigerators, cars, scooters, and in certain cases even house. There are instances where the proceeding of marriage ceremony has been interrupted to make an unreasonable demand and bride’s parents have been forced to fulfil it for fear of social ostracism. Cases of harassment of young brides and bride burning on account inadequate dowery have multiplied during the some past years. But now a day due to harassment of bride’s many rules are made for stop this process.

Dowery system is ingrained in the social texture of Indian cultural tradition. Tradition countaine a process that giving away a daughter in marriage is called “Kanyadan” . Traditionally, no dan was considered to be valide unless accompanied with “dakshina”. The dowery was to be the dakshina to validate Kanyadan. Kings used to give even parts of their kingdom indowery. Common people gave a dowery consisting of articles of household utility and some cash. Since girl enjoyed no right to the parental property, the system carried some kind of a moral justification also. Poor people have to incur heavy debts to provide their daughter with a handsome dowery. This wrecks them financially. Many times daughter of poor parents consider themselves burden on their family and they either option for a life disgraceful spinsterhood or commit suicide. If a bride is harassed for more dowery, it may breed haterd in her mind for her husband and ruin the married life of the couple.

The supporters of the dowery system give numerous argument to justify it. According to them, it is fine method of setting up an establishment for the newly weds. The second argument, is that since the bride’s parents are quite choosey about the groom’s income , his qualification, his property, why shouldn’t the groom get a price for what he has to offer? In that case I think that marriage is a girls insurance, and so the dowery is the premium. Thirdly, the supporters of this system argue, a girl caring with her respectable dowery feels confident while entering her in-law’s house while a girl without dowry feels uneasy and apprehensive.

But today modern girls are educated and enlightened. In many cases, they are employed and economically independent. it is criminal to think of marriage in terms of their insurance . Marriage brings an equal degree of security to both the partners and not to the bride alone. Finally, a girl can gain confidence only from her innate merits, and not from the dowery, howsoever handsome it might be. Since, dowery is a social evil, no legislation can prove effective unless there is created a suitable climate in the country in which dowery can be boycotted. Only the young people can create such a climate. The old orthodox and they often lack a constructive vision, thy can not expected to do much. But the youth can definitely play a key role in eradicating this evil practice. Young boys should take a pledge that they will neither demand a dowery nor accept it , and young girls should be resolved not to give their consent to marriage with a boy who demands a dowery, If more and more girls are educated and made economically independent, it will accelerate the process. More love-marriages and more inter-caste and inter-provincial marriages should also prove helpful.