THE GREAT INDIAN FAT WEDDING IS GETTING FATTER THIS SEASON

It might be a 'seasonal' industry, thriving only during the auspicious months of the year but with an estimated worth of Rs 1,25,000 crore, the Indian wedding industry is getting bigger and fatter.

With the industry growing at an average rate of 25 per cent per annum, the lavishness doled out by Indians on weddings is just getting larger this season as exhibitors and even designers from Pakistan entering the market to target the customers who have begun shopping for the post October marriage season.

"The weddings just grown larger only. The latest trend is now to fly out the barat comprising 250-350 people to Kaula Lampur or Singapore to have the wedding there," says Tarun Sarda, CEO, Vintage Group, Vivaha Interactive, the organisers of Vivaha exhibitions.

Citing seven such weddings which have taken place in foreign locations, such as Sunway Lagoon and the Palace of the Golden Horses in Malayasia recently, he adds, "Everyone is trying to outdo each other. With the property and stock boom, India has seen new generation of millionaires coming up and the lavishness that they indulge in weddings are just mind-blowing."

Gone are the days when great weddings were the ones to be held at some five-star hotel with baratis trooping in fanning Rs 10 bundles, points out wedding organisers and industry experts.

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF CRICKET: SHOAIB MALIK WANTS TO BECOME AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN

In a bid to change the image of Pakistani cricketers and become "media savvy" himself, captain Shoaib Malik has started taking English classes from a specially appointed tutor.

"Shoaib is very serious about his image and that of the country. He realises the importance of a modern day cricket captain being media savvy and having the confidence and proficiency in an international language," a source close to the 25-year-old Malik said.

Malik's endeavour has found support from the Cricket Board, which has asked other players to follow suit. The PCB, in fact, is contemplating starting classes in English for young players attending the National Cricket Academy and training camps.

Poor command over English has been a cause of embarrassment for the Pakistani players and has often put them into unwanted controversies generated by an international media unable to interpret them properly after a press conference or prize distribution ceremony.

During the World Cup in the West Indies, the Pakistani team created a stir when its media manager Pervez Mir said that captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and other players would not address press conferences in English.

Mir said he would act as a translator for the benefit of international media.

The International Cricket Council had to step in and remind the team management of the necessity to speak in English at prize distribution ceremonies for an international television audience.

INZYSPEAK: INDIA IS ON TOP, BUT WE IS TRY TO BOUNCE ON OUR BACK!!

This is an actual conversation that took place between Rameez Raza and Inzamam-ul-Haq after 3rd ODI between India and Pakistan played in Lahore on 13 February 2006

RAMEEZ RAZA: So Inzy, disappointed with your performance today?

INZY: Bismilla-e-rehman-e-rahim. Thank you allah. Ya the Indian batsman is play very good today. We is try very hard but is not win the game.

RAMEEZ: Any words for Dhoni?

INZY: Ya, Dhoni is play very well. He is hit his shot very hard in our gaps. In start, we is protect our gaps very well. The grass is also thick.. but Dhoni is split our gaps with his bat.

RAMEEZ: Another ordinary bowling performance?

INZY: Ya our balls is loose. The bowler is went for many run. Asif is bowled well. Also, after some shots the ball is out of shape. Umpire is not give another ball.. it is tough to play with one ball.

RAMEEZ: Dropped catches.. did that prove costly?

INZY: Ya the ball is not stick to our hands. We is practice a lot sticking our bat in our hands.. but now we is more practice sticking balls in our hands.

RAMEEZ: Any plans for the next match?

INZY: Ya, India is on top, but we is try to bounce on our back. Insha Allah we is play better.

RAMEEZ: All the best Inzy

INZY: Thank is you