Pune

A sudden downpour in Pune brought two young couples - and their families - from different religions under one roof and tied them in a bond of love and humanity.

The generous Kazi family helped Chetan Kawade's family from what could have been a wipeout of their only daughter Sanskriti's wedding ceremony due to rain.

On the evening of May 20, the Kawades were ready to welcome Sanskriti's groom Narendra, and his family when a squall and heavy rains lashed Pune, Maharashtra.

Barely could they escort the groom and the guests inside when they saw the lawns of the Alnakran Garden, near the State Reserve Police Force premises, in the Wanworie area, where the wedding ceremony was to take place underwater.

Sanskriti and Narendra’s wedding was scheduled for 6:56 pm and the time was approaching fast. Their family - Gawades and Patils - had no idea how to deal with Nature's fury.

As there was no let-up in the rainfall everyone around was worried.

Interestingly, The kazi family was busy organizing the reception (Walima) for a newlyweds Mohsin and Maheen inside a hall at the same venue.

With fear and hesitation, Sanskriti's father Sachin Kawade asked the Qazi family if they could hold the Hindu wedding ceremony inside the hall.

The Qazi family happily accommodated the wedding party. Farooq Qazi, the father of Mohsin, immediately said yes.

Sanskriti and Narendra's wedding was solemnized amidst well-wishes and shouts of joy, in the same hall where Mohsin and Maheen had held their walima, a few moments ago.

Both couples posed for photographs to be cherished as a memory of their unique experience and shared joy.

“The rain started just as the groom reached the gate. A Muslim wedding was going on in the hall next door. We sought permission from the Qazi family, and they immediately agreed,” Sanskriti’s father Chetan Kawade recounted the experience.

Sanskriti’s mother, “I had been dreaming of my only daughter’s wedding for years. We had prepared everything — sarees, jewellery, everything. But the rain washed away not only the decorations but also my dreams. I realised how small the human ego was before nature. Without their (Qazi family's) help, I would not have survived this. We will soon meet Mohsin’s father, Farooq Qazi, and thank him. once again”

The moment was emotional for many. An eyewitness said, "The lawn was flooded, people were worried, and the wedding ceremony was in jeopardy. But when the Muslim family saw our distress, they stopped their ceremony, and Sanskriti and Narendra got married in the same mandap, with flower petals raining down."

Mohsin's father, Farooq Kazi, a retired police officer, was busy entertaining the guests when Chetan Kawade came to him with his request. "The Kawade family came to me and explained the situation. We stopped our ceremony and gave them the stage for the rituals. We considered Sanskriti as our daughter. Humanity is the greatest religion. We should always help each other in difficult times," he said.

"Two weddings of two different religions took place in the same hall," said Sanjay, a Sanskriti uncle. "It proves that humanity is bigger than religion." The guests were very impressed; all sat down to eat together and described it as a living demonstration of India's "Ganga-Jamani civilization" — that is, shared cultural heritage.

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An emotional Chetan Kawade said, "I dreamed of a grand wedding for my daughter all my life. Although the rain ruined everything, the Qazi family gave us a stage. I will never forget their kindness."