A village has taken a decision to curb unnecessary expenses that can lead to debt. The villagers have unanimously passed a resolution banning expensive non-vegetarian feasts after weddings. It has been announced that those who organize a feast in violation of this rule will be fined Rs 1 lakh and those who attend the feast will be fined Rs 50,000. This innovative decision was taken in Haragi village in Shikaripura taluka of Shivamogga (Shimoga) district of Karnataka.

Around 360 families of the village (including all castes) met at the local Anjaneya Swamy temple and approved this tough decision. Villager KB Shekharaj explained the strong reasons behind this. "There is a severe drought in the village. Due to successive crop failures, farmers and other families are financially devastated. In such circumstances, hosting a 'beegara oot' (a non-vegetarian feast given by the groom's family) after a wedding has become a matter of social respect. Even those who cannot afford it have to take out loans to organize these feasts. As a result, many families are suffering under the burden of debt," he said.

The villagers took this decision together as a solution to this problem. However, he clarified that the wedding and other religious functions can be celebrated as usual. He said that there is no objection to having simple meals with only close relatives and family members (10-20 people). He clarified that there will be a ban on hosting large-scale feasts by inviting the entire village.

'Beegara oot' is a tradition in the old Mysore and Malnad regions of Karnataka. Over time, this decision taken by the villagers of Haragi has become a topic of discussion. People from surrounding villages also appreciate this decision and believe that such financial discipline is necessary.