Female students and teachers of Indian International School Jeddah (IISJ) who acted in the play “Civilized Beggars” (Dowry Takers), which brings to light the heavy burden of India’s dowry system, received an appreciation award by various India organizations.

The appreciation awards presented at a local restaurant were given for the best performance and message against dowry to the public at Andhra Pradesh day in Indian festival organized by India Forum last week.

M.K. Quraishi, head of Chancellery, Consulate General of India, and Prabhat K. Jain, Consul (Labor) presented the prizes to Ishrat un-Nisa, author of the play, and Asfia Hussaini, its director.

Quraishi and Jain said the topic was immensely appealing, but the performance was so excellent that this play should be staged again and the message conveyed to as many people as possible.

Hasan Bayazid, president of Andhra Pradesh United Forum, announced that the counsel general and the India Forum have consented to stage the show again.

Mementos were presented by Syed Ali, Shameem Kausar, Zaki Ghazanfar, Razaq Mohiuddin, Mudassar Bukhari and Aijaz Ahmed Khan.

Among the honored students were Farah Shafiullah, Imran Syeda, Noora Rizwan, Fareeha Almas, Roman Asawari, Asma Imtiyaz, Sidder Maliha, Nazneen Ibrahim, Sana Faiyaz Ahmed, Zehra Yousuf and Syed Rumina Zareen.

Syed Khwaja Viqaruddin, president of Twin Cities Welfare Association, saluted all student artists as future asset of the community. He said it was the moral obligation of the community to encourage these students and teachers who have talent.

Aleem Khan Falaki, president Socio Reforms Society, shed light on the scenario of dowry system in India. Falaki said only 10 to 15 percent of the people are financially well off while the rest is on the verge of economic disaster due to this dowry system.

“People spend their whole life in hard work and save nothing for their old age, neither they can help their sons to do business,” said Falaki. “They are bound to give away their hard earned savings to the grooms of their daughters and live an appalling life thereafter.”

Sons who could become a businessman or industrialist are compelled to look for odd menial jobs. As a result, the community is living from hand to mouth, Falaki said.

“Boycott of such marriages where the dowry is exchanged, where the dinner expenses are imposed on the bride’s parents” is a must to save the social equilibrium,” he said.

He also said it is hypocritical to condemn the dowry system on one hand and participate in the ceremonies of such type.

Earlier in the program young children amused the audience by presenting poetry and jokes. Hadia M. Siddiqui presented the Bagged Raichuri’s humor poetry “Chammak Chhakka,” and Syed Kausar Ali presented “Announcement in Hyderabadi Airlines before takeoff.”

Masood Siddiqui entertained the audience with Sulaiman Khateeb’s poem “Raste.” Yousufuddin Amjad offered “Kaun Banega Sau Pati.”