If marriages, as the cliche goes, are made in heaven, does it matter where and how they are solemnised? Lukhi Ram, a muster-roll clerk with PWD, and Zolthanpuii, a daily wage earner, had no pastor, pandit or magistrate to turn to; but they were in love and had to marry, pronto.
It didn’t help that while Lukhi is a Hindu, Zolthanpuii is a Christian. In the hinterland of Mizoram, it would have been a tall order to expect an inter-faith conference in favour of
their wedlock.
More, they had financial constraints before engaging the services of notary, etc. But the next best thing in the circumstances, Mizoram PWD, stepped in, with its junior engineer helping the besotted couple exchange vows. Thus was the marriage solemnised by Lalsangliana Sailo, JE at Serchhip PWD sub-division, 135 km from Aizawl.
There were no legalities, only a commitment to love one another as long as they lived.
"I, Lukhi Ram will love, you, cherish you in times of landslides, road blocks and other obstacles that might befall between us, but as long as the thick clouds formed by burning bitumen are around, I will take thee as my beloved wife," was the vow Lukhi Ram took.