India takes pride in its diversity. Be it linguistic, cultural or religious diversity, all of it has been an inherent part of India's social fabric that the entire world has taken note of. But as this diversity undergoes scrutiny in the country at the moment, yet another incident has come to light which only reaffirms the fact that regardless of our personal faiths, Indians will continue to treat humanity as their religion.

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Recently, Hindu neighbours in Kanpur decided to form a human-chain around a baraat headed for a niqah in the curfew-imposed locality. The heartwarming incident came to pass following a phone call from the groom, who informed the bride Zeenat's uncle that it seemed difficult for the baraat to reach the wedding venue as per schedule, given the on-going curfew in the violence-hit city.

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While Zeenat's uncle Wajid sat with other relatives and debated over the next course of action, word got out and their neighbour Vimal Chapadiya heard about the family's plight. Following this, he gathered two other friends Somnath and Neeraj Tiwari, who along with other locals, escorted the baraat to the wedding venue by forming a human chain around them.

© BCCL

The 70 baraatis reached the venue without any difficulty with the help of 50 Hindus who stood guard over their safety. Vimal and the others stayed back until the bidai ceremony, and when Zeenat came back, she rushed to meet “Vimal bhaiya” whom she thinks of as her “farishta”.

As for Vimal, this is what he had to say, “I have seen Zeenat grow up. She is like my younger sister. How could I let her heart be broken? We are neighbours and I had to stand with the family in times of distress.”

We'd love to see more of this, wouldn't we?

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