MB#76: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙣 1946 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙙.

[MemoirBlogthon #76] I still possess my parents' 1946 wedding card and photo from Amalapuram, etched with a peculiar English footnote: "Please send your rations in advance." Growing up, I didn't understand its significance until my father explained the realities of British-ruled India—the scarcity of essential goods, ration cards, and fair price shops. This simple plea became a powerful symbol of their marriage: not extravagance, but meticulous planning, shared sacrifice, and unwavering commitment forged during wartime austerity. Their story, from my father's duty as the eldest son to my mother's strength as a 14-year-old bride, is a poignant reminder that true love is built on mutual respect and everyday sacrifices.

The Peculiar Plea on the Wedding Card 📜

It's a story of love, sacrifice, and tradition that has been etched in my mind since childhood. My parents, "Shri Susarla Subrahmanya Sastry" and "Smt. Susarla Sitaratnam," got married on August 13, 1946, in the quaint town of Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh.

I still treasure their wedding card, written primarily in Telugu but featuring a peculiar, fascinating footnote written in English: "Please send your rations in advance."

Growing up, I didn't quite understand the significance of those words. It was only when my father explained the historical context that I realized the profound challenges they faced during those trying times.

India Under Rationing: The Context of Scarcity

The year 1946 was just before India achieved independence, and the country was grappling with severe economic strain, often linked to the aftermath of the Second World War. Rationing was a harsh reality under British rule. Essential commodities like rice, wheat, and sugar were scarce, and the government had instituted a system of ration cards and fair price shops to strictly distribute these items.

Weddings, traditionally grand affairs, had to be meticulously planned around this scarcity. Families had to ensure they had enough food and essentials to feed their guests. The footnote on the wedding card was a direct plea to guests to bring their own rations, not out of rudeness, but as a genuine necessity so the family could make ends meet and celebrate the union without running out of food.

A Testament to Love and Sacrifice

My parents' story is a testament to the enduring power of love and commitment forged in austerity.

My father, a mechanical engineer and the eldest son of a large family, immediately took on the heavy responsibility of supporting his siblings and parents.

My mother, Smt. Sitaratnam, was only 14 when she married my father, and she immediately became the pillar of strength that held the large, extended family together. Sitaratnam was just 14 when she married my father, and she immediately became the pillar of strength that held the large, extended family together.

Their life together was characterized by mutual respect, trust, and deep understanding. They worked side-by-side to build a life founded on simplicity, thrift, and sacrifice.

The Legacy of Commitment

Fast forward to today, and the circumstances are vastly different. Weddings have become extravagant affairs where the concept of rationing is almost alien to the younger generation. But amidst all the opulence, we often forget the values that our parents lived by.

My parents remained each other's rock until their last breath, a shining example of what it means to be truly married. Their story reminds me that it's not the grand gestures that define a marriage; it's the:

They make small sacrifices on a daily basis.

Everyday moments of mutual support.

They demonstrate an unwavering commitment to one another.

In a time when relationships frequently face challenges, the 'Ration Card Footnote' acts as a profound historical and moral reminder that true love, rooted in partnership and endurance, can overcome any obstacle.

MB#76: Quiz

MB76: Question: The English footnote on the author's parents' 1946 wedding card requested guests to bring what item in advance?

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• A. Wedding gifts.
• B. Cash donations.
• C. Rations.
• D. Cloth for garments.

MB#76: Quote

"The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other." —Mario Puzo