27 May,2026 12:12 PM IST | | mid-day online correspondent
The initiative provided a total insurance protection cover of nearly Rs 34.6 crore. Representational Pic
In a remarkable gesture at a wedding in Bahadarpura village in Kandhar taluka of Maharashtra's Marathwada region, the groom's family turned the celebration into social security by gifting accident insurance coverage worth Rs 1 lakh each to 3,465 villagers.
The wedding of Siddheshwar Pethkar, held on May 20 in the village located around 55 km from Nanded, featured an unusual return gift, a group accident insurance policy for every eligible resident of the village.
According to news reports, the initiative provided a total insurance protection cover of nearly Rs 34.6 crore.
The Pethkar family reportedly purchased a group accident insurance policy in the name of the local gram panchayat after submitting the village voters' list, ensuring that all residents were included without paperwork or individual enrollment.
The insurance policy will remain valid for one year, while discussions regarding its renewal are expected to take place later, according to reports.
The initiative was reportedly inspired by concerns over frequent accidental deaths in the region caused by snake bites, lightning strikes, and farm-related accidents.
Residents described the move as unprecedented, with local leaders stating that such a large-scale insurance cover offered as a wedding return gift had not been seen in the region before.
What began as a traditional wedding ceremony ultimately ended as a collective safety net for the entire village, blending celebration with social responsibility.
