Residents of Prem Ganj are now more focussed on checking the HIV reports of the bride/groom before marriage. (IE)

In India, when it comes to marriage, people first check horroscopes or ‘kundalis’ of the desired groom or bride for match-making. However, this trend does not hold true in Unnao’s Prem Ganj in Uttar Pradesh. Residents of Prem Ganj are now more focussed on checking the HIV reports of the bride/groom before marriage. Sunil Kumar, a local corporator said that most of the locals have accepted the demand. The change came after the detection of an alarming rise in the number of positive HIV cases in the area.

The bizarre condition came to light after over 55 people were tested HIV positive in three pockets of Bangarmau town including Chakmir, Prem Ganj and Kirmidiyapur. A private worker from Prem Ganj selected a girl from Tirwa area of Kannauj district to get married. The marriage of the couple is scheduled to take place after Holi. Last week on Monday, the parents of the girl told the groom’s parents the boy needs to get a medical test for HIV before the marriage.

After getting the report on Saturday, the boy and his family members heaved a sigh of relief as he had tested negative for HIV, said the boy’s kin who played a mediator role and also said that the doctor’s report the fact that the groom was not a carrier of HIV, Times Of India reported. When the family of the bride was informed about the report, they too were delighted and gave their final nod. The boy will ride the horse and take his ‘baarat’ on March 4.

However, Dr IS Gilada, President of AIDS Society of India said that this uncommon demand might upset a few people in the traditional society and may even call off the marriage.