From horse race to feast for 4 lakh: Bihar MLA Anant Singh's daughter's wedding plans

Shivangi Singh will marry Rishikesh Kumar, also known as Ankit, a resident of Krishnanagar in Patna's Bihta, on November 25.

In Short

• Invitations are being sent to personalities across politics and entertainment
• The horse race runner-up will receive a motorcycle as prize
• Celebrations will avoid firecrackers keeping environmental concerns in mind

A feast for four lakh people, flowers brought in from abroad and a horse race with a Mahindra Thar as the top prize. In Bihar’s Ladma village, preparations for JD(U) MLA Anant Singh’s younger daughter’s wedding stretch across several acres, with politicians, actors and singers on the invitation list.

Shivangi Singh will marry Rishikesh Kumar, also known as Ankit, a resident of Krishnanagar in Patna’s Bihta, on November 25. The family has another ceremony planned for the same day: the sacred-thread initiation of Singh’s younger son, Abhinav.

The celebrations come less than a week before the Mokama MLA is due to surrender on December 1 under a court order.

Land is being readied for elaborate pandals and a horse-racing ground, with decorators from Mau in Uttar Pradesh brought in for the wedding arrangements. Horses are being brought from across the country and are expected to reach Barh over the next few days.

The winner of the horse race will receive a Mahindra Thar, while the runner-up will take home a motorcycle, Singh said.

There will be no firecrackers, however. Singh said environmental concerns would be kept in mind during the celebrations.

Invitations are being sent across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among those Singh plans to invite.

Former Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav are also on the list.

Actor Sonu Sood, folk singer Maithili Thakur, MP and singer Manoj Tiwari, Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh and actor Akshara Singh have been invited, along with other Bollywood personalities, Singh said. Their attendance is yet to be confirmed.

The stage programme is set to feature Bhojpuri, Magahi and Mumbai-based performers.

Singh’s wife, Neelam Devi, recently offered wedding invitations to deities as part of the customary rituals ahead of the celebrations.

With two family ceremonies on the same day, catering arrangements are being made for around four lakh guests. Singh said he was inviting people he knew from across India.

- Ends