As Kashmir’s wedding season is at its peak, a group of young volunteers from Sopore has launched “Panun Wazwaan,” a community initiative to assist underprivileged families by providing complimentary wedding feast arrangements across the Valley.
Led by a team of five individuals, including Rafiq Mir, Irfan Shah, Faheem Khan, Abdul Rashid, and Yasir Dar, the group has over a decade of experience in catering and event organizing.
Their goal is to ensure that families facing financial hardships can still host a traditional Kashmiri wedding celebration without the burden of high expenses.
In an interview with Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Rafiq Mir, speaking on behalf of the team, said the idea came to him recently. “When I discussed it with my friends, they immediately supported the concept,” he said.
Operating under the name “Panun Wazwaan” (Our Feast), the team is prepared to travel throughout Kashmir to arrange wedding feasts free of charge for families in need.
Irfan Shah, one of the core team members, explained, “Our aim is not just to provide food but also all the necessary arrangements, from utensils to seating. We want to relieve families of the financial pressure often tied to wedding celebrations.” The initiative has been warmly received by the community; a local elder, Ghulam Qadir, described it as “a much-needed step towards social change.”
Their efforts have inspired others to rethink the extravagant expectations around weddings, which can be a heavy burden on families with limited means.
In Kashmir, where weddings are often associated with the grand multi-course “wazwaan” feast featuring dishes like Rista, Tabak Maaz, and Gushtaba, the cultural significance of such gestures is immense.
As wedding expenses rise, many families face delays in hosting weddings, struggling to meet societal standards of lavish feasting. The team’s initiative not only lightens the financial load but also confronts the social pressures contributing to postponed marriages.
Families in need are encouraged to contact “Panun Wazwaan” at 8082420963 to benefit from their support.