To dispel superstitions, Karnataka couple celebrates marriage anniversary in graveyard

KALABURAGI: To spread awareness against superstitions, a couple in Kalaburagi district celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary in a graveyard.

Anitha and Pavan Kumar Valakeri, residents of Nandikur village on the outskirts of Kalaburagi, cleaned the graveyard with their relatives and admirers and planted saplings. Anitha was the zila panchayat vice-chairperson.

Pavan Kumar Valakeri, who is a social activist, told TOI he was keen to create awareness in people against superstitions. He said he wanted to clean the graveyard as it had become dirty and overgrown due to neglect. “I decided to celebrate my wedding anniversary at this place only so that we could clean it up and plant saplings,” he said.

Anita and Pavan Kumar sat before a grave and exchanged garlands as their friends, relatives and villagers cheered. “Our guests hesitated at first but we convinced them to come here. On the first day, we celebrated at the graveyard and on the second, we gave sewing training to the women of the surrounding villages of Kotnoor, Khanadal, Panegaum, Itaga, Sitanoor and Nandikur. Including us, around 30 people also donated blood at a private hospital blood bank.