Wedding With A Difference: Nanded Family Stands Out With Rs 1 Lakh Accident Insurance As Return Gift

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 12:05 IST

A total of 3,465 villagers were covered under an accident insurance policy worth Rs 1 lakh each, taking the total insured amount to Rs 33.6 crore.

In an era where weddings are often remembered for luxury, designer outfits and extravagant displays, a family in a small village in Nanded chose a very different kind of celebration, one that is now winning hearts across the region.

When Siddheshwar Pethkar got married on May 20 in Bahadarpura village of Kandhar taluka, his family turned the occasion into an act of collective care. Instead of conventional return gifts, they provided accident insurance coverage to every resident of the village.

A total of 3,465 villagers were covered under an accident insurance policy worth Rs 1 lakh each, taking the total insured amount to Rs 33.6 crore. The initiative was spearheaded by Siddheshwar and his elder brother Anup Pethkar.

For the Pethkar family, the idea came from the realities of rural life and the risks villagers often face.

“In Nanded’s villages, accidental deaths due to snake bites, lightning strikes and other accidents are not uncommon. My younger brother’s wedding was a joyous occasion for us, and we wanted to extend that happiness to others by doing something meaningful," Anup said.

To ensure every eligible resident was included, the family purchased a group insurance policy in the name of the local gram panchayat. The village voters’ list was submitted to the insurance company so the coverage could be implemented systematically.

Despite the massive scale of the initiative, the family chose not to reveal the financial details behind the policy.

“In our culture, donations are not publicised. We are not seeking recognition or praise. We only hope to receive the blessings of the people," Siddheshwar said.

More than 4,500 guests attended the wedding ceremony, but villagers said the insurance initiative became the true highlight of the event.

“It was a big celebration, but this gesture made it truly unforgettable. No one had ever seen anything like this before," villager Mohan Shekapure said.

Village sarpanch Baliram Pethkar described the move as potentially unprecedented.

“This could well be a first-of-its-kind gesture where an entire village receives insurance as a return gift," he said.

The insurance policy will remain valid for one year, with discussions on renewal expected later.

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