Published on: July 2, 2025

Weddings in India are often synonymous with grandeur — lights, music, lavish spreads, and endless gifts. But once in a while, a love story unfolds that quietly redefines what it means to celebrate. When Nirmohi and Harikrishnan (fondly known as Namu and Kichu) decided to tie the knot in February 2025, they didn’t just plan a wedding — they envisioned a celebration rooted in empathy, sustainability, and purpose.

Today, I want to highlight a different kind of trend—one that I’m not just observing, but actively manifesting into being.

When my elder sibling got married a decade ago, we gently requested guests to refrain from bringing gifts in the wedding invitation. Instead, we emphasized that their presence was our greatest blessing. It was a practical choice too—given that the couple lived in the U.S., transporting wedding gifts internationally would have cost them lakhs in shipping.

Then in January 2025, something truly special happened. Nirmohi and Harikrishnan – affectionately known as Namu and Kichu – were getting married in February and the groom’s family reached out with a humble proposal: they wanted to dedicate their wedding celebration to raising funds for Pallium India’s Children’s Education Programme. This initiative supports children who’ve lost a parent to terminal illness and as well as families financially devastated by the burden of  serious health related suffering.

Their digital wedding invitation included a dedicated page for the fundraiser. Beyond hosting a sustainable celebration, the couple invited their guests to bless their union by contributing to a cause close to their hearts. The result? Dozens of children and their families affected by life-limiting conditions were given a chance to pursue education and rebuild their futures.

Their thoughtful gesture embodies the spirit of the One Health approach—where even personal celebrations acknowledge the deep interconnection between human well-being, environmental health, and community care.

To Namu and Kichu: we wish you a life of joy, partnership, and purpose. And to every couple planning their big day—may you find inspiration in their story. Let’s make conscious, compassionate weddings not just a trend, but a tradition worth carrying forward.

If you’d like to support our Children’s Education Support Programme, or explore the idea of starting a wedding fundraiser, reach out to us at donations@palliumindia.org. 

Written by Shriya Singh, an advocate of the One Health concept and Head of the Resource Mobilisation Department at Pallium India.