themselves to eradicate the practice.

An intermediate level student at Thakur Ram Multiple Campus in Birgunj, Raj Kumar Yadav, 21, of Simraungadh in Bara publicly declared not to accept anything from his in-laws except his bride. Yadav said he took the decision after being influenced by the awareness campaign organised by the Narayani Zonal Police in Parsa, Bara, and Rautahut. His marriage is scheduled to take place on May 17 with Roma Kumari, daughter of Jhigan Yadav, resident of Belbari.

At a press conference organised in Birgunj, Yadav said he believed the tradition of dowry was equal to buying and selling of human life. Meanwhile, Ram Dayal Yadav, brother of the bride to be said the decision had come as relief to the family since they were contemplating to sell their land in order to cover the marriage expenses. “The dowry expenses figured Rs 500,000 in cash and Rs 800,000 in properties but following his decision we are spared of our land,” Ram Dayal claimed.

“The tradition of child marriage and dowry has become a huge problem in the region and since it is the duty of the police to make society a better place along with controlling crime, we had started campaigning against the social evilness,” said Superintendent of Police Sarbendra Khanal, claiming the programme being fruitful among guardians and students. The police have been performing road dramas to raise awareness against such traditions, and moreover, by pointing out VDCs specially marred by the problem. Khanal added that they had adopted the method to aware people after the law which declared child marriage and dowry illegal failed to take effect on the grassroots.

The road dramas, assisted by local agencies, have already been staged in more than 20 VDCs in Parsa, Bara, and Rautahut. The practice is reportedly rife in the inner Tarai region.

However, people seem oblivious to the downside of the practice that often hampers the academic growth of the girls, makes them dependent which in turn leads to mental weaknesses and subject women to physical violence.