A 20-year-old bride from Odisha’s Sambalpur district has won accolades for refusing to marry her groom because he turned up drunk at the wedding. Mamata Bhoi, the bride, has been felicitated by Sambalpur district administration for her courageous step, reported the women’s channel, shethepeople.
“When I saw the man in an inebriated condition at the mandap, I immediately took the decision not to marry him. The man was even unable to stand as he was heavily drunk. I realised that I could not lead a happy life with such a man… I instantly took the decision and I don’t think that I have done anything wrong,” she is reported to have said at the felicitation.

What is encouraging is that her family stood by her decision. “By refusing to marry a drunkard, Mamata gave a message to all the girls that they should be very particular while selecting their spouse. She also gave the message to the all the girls that their life would be hell if they get married to drunkard,” said Sambalpur SP, Sanjeev Arora, according to the report. Her wedding has now been fixed with a man from Brajarajnagar.

She was awarded at the ceremony in the presence of Sambalpur SP, Sambalpur Collector Subham Saxena on International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The programme was organised jointly by the district administration and the department of social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities along with the excise department. Bhoi has been presented with a shawl, a citation and Rs 10,000.