Srinagar, Sept. 26 -- What was once a celebration of family, community, faith and simplicity is increasingly becoming a contest of expenditure, display and social comparison. Weddings that should mark the beginning of a new life are, for many families, becoming the beginning of debt, anxiety and financial hardship.This piece argues that marriage in Kashmir has become excessively expensive, leading some young people to postpone it because their families cannot afford the wedding. While Islam permits joyful and dignified celebrations, the problem arises when celebration turns into compulsion, hospitality becomes competition, and tradition becomes a financial burden. Modern Kashmiri weddings now span several days and include lavish venues, e...