Kaushambi (UP), May 22 (PTI) A 2.5-foot-tall bride and groom became the centre of attention at a mass wedding ceremony organised under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi on Thursday.

District Social Welfare Officer Dilip Kumar said that the ceremony was held at Bhavans Mehta Mahavidyalaya under Bharwari Municipal Council. A total of 321 couples had registered for the event, of which 298 marriages--?including four Muslim couples--?were solemnised. All newlyweds received household essentials as per government provisions.

Also Read | Jammu and Kashmir Weather Update and Forecast: Srinagar Records Season's Hottest Day at 34.4 Degrees Celsius, Breaks 2024 Record.

He further said that among the registered couples was a pair, both approximately 2.5 feet tall. The groom, 21-year-old Jitendra Patel, hails from Gopal Ka Purwa village in Pratapgarh; while the bride, 18-year-old Hiramani Patel, is a resident of Bharwari Municipal Council in Kaushambi.

Jitendra's elder brother Rajendra said that both he and his younger brother are engaged in fruit trade in Mumbai. A few days ago, a visitor to their village mentioned about a girl of similar stature living in Bharwari. After discussions with the girl's family, the match was fixed.

Also Read | 8th Pay Commission Set To Boost Salaries: Here's What a Higher Fitment Factor Could Mean for Govt Employees.

"The bride's family said they couldn't afford a lavish wedding due to financial constraints and proposed the idea of a marriage under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme, which we agreed to," Rajendra added.

He said that Jitendra was informed about the proposal, after which he flew from Mumbai to Lucknow on Wednesday.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)