In the era of lavish weddings marked by pomp, material wealth and lavish expenses, two Indian young officers have chosen a different tradition. IAS officer Srikant Reddy and IPS officer Sheshadrini Reddy solemnised their marriage in an unassuming Registered Wedding ceremony in the Choutuppal Sub-Registrar Office, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district in Telangana. Their resolution has been praised on social media and across the world since it is an exemplar of the concept of simplicity, responsibility and honesty in public service.
Unlike the familiar cliche of extravagant weddings featuring decorations, banquets and hundreds of guests, the couple decided on a no-frills ceremony. The marriage was held among a handful of senior officials and close family members. No costly rituals, no sumptuous celebrations, no need for displays of wealth. And this, of course, was a fresh decision. A strong message that real happiness comes through togetherness and the kind of shared values we’ve had not spending big.
Sheshadrini Reddy, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Quthbullapur, hails from Lingareddygudem, Telangana. She has garnered admiration for her commitment to the rule of law and public safety and service in law enforcement. Her husband, Srikant Reddy, is an IAS student from Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh and currently doing his training with the IAS. Both of these officers are future leaders in administration and policing, and they embody responsibility, discipline, and service to society. These principles are seen in their marriage as well.
By marrying as a registered couple the couple showed simplicity and responsibility. In a place where weddings are all too often a display of wealth, their choice was, at least, a testament to how public officials ought to lead by example. Their move also represents the emerging mindset of young professionals that money must be invested wisely. They chose to focus on their careers and their responsibility to society.
Word of their light-hearted wedding soon ricocheted through social media. Users all commended them for their moral courage and principled beliefs. It was praised in comments for their decision as an example of integrity. They were praised for their ability to turn public service from something shameful and imprudent into something more honorable and honest. And people marveled that the married couple abandoned traditional values for something which accords with their professional and individual lives. For many it was inspiring to observe great government service role models live according to the values they represent.
Indian weddings have in recent years seemed so grand – elaborate decorations, costly venues, large celebrations. Such celebrations are happy and joyous but they involve heavier costs too. Srikant and Sheshadrini Reddy are a counterpoint to this trend in their decision. The wedding they planned for themselves was not at all designed in the manner of impressing people, but rather a joyful tribute to their union in a thoughtful and solemn manner. This distinction has fuelled debate over how we perceive weddings and whether we should be embracing simplicity more frequently.
The choices made by the couple are lessons for us:
- Simplicity is mighty: A marriage is about love and commitment, not about riches or glitz.
- Public servants as role models: Their decision is of the highest integrity and responsibility - qualities expected from an officer serving society in this fashion.
- Focus on values: They were just as cautious about extravagant living as they were about their appearance; instead, they told people that their values matter more than appearance.
The wedding ceremony of IAS officer Srikant Reddy and IPS officer Sheshadrini Reddy is not only an individual achievement. It is a declaration concerning simplicity, responsibility in the face of simplicity, duty and integrity. Their ceremonial reception in the Choutuppal Sub-Registrar Office confirmed that true celebration is found in love, respect, and values shared – not fancy displays of conspicuous display of wealth. Social Media continues to praise the couple’s wedding and it serves as a reminder that young leaders should inspire the world to live this lifestyle — to do so with humility and meaning. Their simple, quiet union helps make sure service, values and love, rather than all that show, are what everyone remembers in this loud and overcomplicated universe.
