Locals Pour Love & Blessings on Anant Ambani-Radhika Merchant at Jamnagar Anna Seva – News18

Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant were the cynosure of all eyes on Wednesday as the Ambani family organised Anna Seva to kick-start the pre-wedding festivities of the couple in Gujarat’s Jamnagar from March 1-3.

Videos from the event show locals of Jorvad village in Jamnagar shower blessings on Anant and Radhika — both dressed in traditional finery — as they bow down in respect and take in all the love coming their way.

The village near the Reliance Township wore a festive look on Wednesday as Mukesh Ambani, Anant Ambani and other members of the Ambani family, as well as Radhika Merchant, served traditional Gujarati food to villagers.

Radhika’s maternal grandmother and parents Viren and Shaila Merchant also took part in the Anna Seva. Food will be served to about 51,000 local residents and this practice will continue for the next few days.

After the meal, the attendees enjoyed traditional folk music where famous Gujarati singer Kirtidan Gadhvi stole the show with his performance.

The Ambani family upholds the age-old Indic dictum, ‘Manav seva hi Madhav seva’ – ‘Service to humanity is service to God’. In the spirit of this principle, they have followed the tradition to commence every major occasion in their family by providing for and serving people and reinforcing their commitment to the community.

Even when the country was facing the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic, Reliance Foundation, under the leadership of Anant Ambani’s mother Nita Ambani, ran the world’s largest food distribution programme. Taking forward the family tradition, Anant Ambani started his pre-wedding functions with Anna Seva.

A beaming Mukesh Ambani told the locals: “We have begun Anant and Radhika’s wedding rituals from Jamnagar itself. My mother is also from Jamnagar and since the last 30 years, we’ve been making our village proud in the whole world. Thanks to all of you for your welcome. Have a happy feast.”

During the March 1-3 pre-wedding bash, Day 1 is called An Evening in Everland, with the dress code listed as “elegant cocktail”. Day 2 will host A Walk on the Wildside with “jungle fever” the suggested dress code. The final day will also comprise two events. The first one, Tusker Trails, suggests “casual chic” dressing, as guests are expected to further explore the green ambience of Jamnagar. The final party, Hastakshar, calls for an elegant evening with heritage Indianwear.

Anant and Radhika got engaged in a traditional ceremony in January 2023 at the family’s residence Antilia in Mumbai.