Wedding with a purpose: Nanded family gives Rs 1 lakh accident insurance cover to each villager as return gift

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: At a time when weddings often compete in extravagance and display, a ceremony in a small village in Nanded has redefined the meaning of celebration and generosity.On May 20, Bahadarpura village in Kandhar taluka saw not just the union of two individuals, but an extraordinary act of community care. The wedding of Siddheshwar Pethkar turned into a moment of collective security when his family gifted accident insurance coverage to every villager as a return gift.A total of 3,465 residents were brought under an accident insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh each, taking the overall insured sum to Rs 33.6 crore. The initiative was led by Siddheshwar and his elder brother Anup.For the Pethkar family, the idea stemmed from a deep awareness of the risks faced by rural communities. “In Nanded’s villages, accidental deaths due to snake bites, lightning strikes and other accidents are not uncommon. My younger brother’s wedding was a joyous occasion for us, and we wanted to extend that happiness to others by doing something meaningful,” Anup said.The family opted for a group insurance policy in the name of the local gram panchayat. The village voters’ list was submitted to the insurance provider to ensure that all eligible residents were covered, making the initiative both systematic and inclusive.Despite the scale of the effort, the Pethkar family has chosen to remain discreet about the financial details of the policy. “In our culture, donations are not publicised. We are not seeking recognition or praise. We only hope to receive the blessings of the people,” Siddheshwar said.The wedding ceremony was attended by over 4,500 guests. “It was a big celebration, but this gesture made it truly unforgettable. No one had ever seen anything like this before,” villager Mohan Shekapure said.Village sarpanch Baliram Pethkar echoed similar sentiments, calling the initiative a potential example for others to follow. “This could well be a first-of-its-kind gesture where an entire village receives insurance as a return gift,” he said.The insurance policy is valid for one year and discussions on its renewal are expected in the future.