'Mohabbat Nagar' moment: Hindu man gifts helicopter ride to foster Muslim niece in heartwarming ‘vidai’ in UP

AGRA: In a gesture that captured the essence of familial love and communal harmony, a man in Muzaffarnagar gave his foster niece the most unforgettable wedding gift—a farewell through the clouds in a helicopter.

The bride, Asma Praveen (26), who works in Qatar's medical sector, tied the knot with Mohammad Shadab (28), a BPharm graduate from Meerut, on Thursday. The wedding, a vibrant blend of tradition and emotion, found its most poignant moment during the ‘bhaat' ceremony—a customary gift-giving ritual by the bride's maternal uncle.

But this ‘bhaat' came with wings, and a fairytale farewell.
Rahul Thakur (35), a farmer and conductor with Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, arranged a helicopter to take off with the bride after her ‘vidai'. "She is my niece, and this is my bhaat to her," he said, his eyes moist and voice steady.
"Our families have shared a bond for three generations. The two families belong to different faiths, but the bond they share is born from deep love and respect," said Thakur.
Thakur recalled how Asma's family stood by them like a rock during his father's grave illness. "Relatives came and went, but this family never left our side. Even doctors would talk about how remarkable they were. This land has seen that bond. This is Muzaffarnagar—but it could just as well be called Mohabbat Nagar," he said, smiling through tears.
"I wanted to do something she'd remember forever. Gifting her a sky farewell was the least I could do," said Thakur.
Shadab, the groom, was equally moved. "I feel like I'm on cloud nine. Thakur uncle—our mamu ji—loves me more than anyone else. He gave us such a beautiful gift. Our families have shared a bond for generations, and today, he has shown the world what true unity is."