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Fritha Vincent, a social entrepreneur and founder of Secret Pillow project, married Olafa Mason, a carpenter, under Mantra Mangalya concept, at ’Odalu’, a rehabilitation centre for boys run by Odanadi Seva Samsthe in Mysuru on Saturday.

Couple from England enter wedlock under ’Mantra Mangalya’ concept

A man and a woman from England entered into wedlock under the ’Mantra Mangalya’ concept at ’Odalu’, a rehabilitation centre for boys run by Odanadi Seva Samsthe here on Saturday.

Fritha Vincent, 38, a social entrepreneur and founder of Secret Pillow project, married one Olafa Mason, 41, a carpenter. Vincent and Olafa were friends and they decided to marry in India as per the country’s tradition.

Mantra Mangalya, a marriage concept advocated by poet Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa, popularly known as Kuvempu, has no Vedic rituals or chanting of Sanskrit hymns. But the couple exchanged their marriage vows as advocated by Kuvempu. Activist Pa Mallesh recited the lines from ’Mantra Mangalya’, a novel, as part of the marriage ceremony.

Vincent, who is associated with Odanadi from the last three years, has also contributed towards the upliftment of the inmates of the organisation. Odanadi had organised the marriage at a hall at the rehabilitation centre developed with the funds provided by Fritha Vincent.

She has been working for the welfare of the tribal women in South India through her Secret Pillow project, from the last seven years. Vincent also works as a project manager in Tamil Nadu-based Adventure Ashram, an organisation working for the poor.

Vincent said that she had expressed her desire to get married in India in a simple way with Odanadi authorities. "My desire was to marry among the people for whom I work and as per my wish," she said.

Olafa said that he loves India and the tradition. "I am happy to enter into married life as per the Indian tradition," he said.

Vicky, a friend of the newly-wedded couple sad, "The celebrations are different compared to their culture. Here, the celebration is filled with more joy with simple traditions."

Activist Pa Mallesh said, "Such marriages should take place in large numbers. We need to break the caste barriers to strengthen secularism."

As many as 150 people, including members from Adventure Ashram and Odanadi, witnessed the marriage ceremony.