Bhubaneswar: There were no band, ‘baja’ or a grand ‘baraat’, instead, a blood donation camp, lines of saplings waiting to be planted, and stacks of neatly folded clothes for distribution among needy — this was the scene at the wedding of Odisha’s Subhashree Subhasmita and Karnataka’s Deepak Kumar N, who have chosen purpose over pomp on their special day.Getting over ‘jati’ (caste), ‘jataka’ (horoscope) and ‘jautuka’ (dowry), Subhashree, a horticulture officer, and Deepak, a scientist, are set to tie the knot on Sunday. The wedding will not be solemnised by priests but by sadhus and social activists at a shelter home in Bhubaneswar. The celebrations began on Saturday with the couple organising a blood donation camp for thalassaemia patients. It saw an encouraging turnout, with friends, family and even curious local residents stepping forward. The groom and the bride’s father, Benudhar Senapati, also donated blood. The couple coordinated with local health organisations to ensure the collected blood reaches thalassaemia patients who require regular transfusions. Forty-five units of blood were collected.“We wanted our marriage to mean something beyond just us,” said 29-year-old Subhashree, adjusting her simple Odisha handloom saree.Deepak said that from the beginning of their relationship, they decided on a wedding devoid of lavish celebration and wasteful expenditure, and one that contributes to society and the planet. “This felt like the right way to begin our journey together,” said the 31-year-old.The couple also donated new clothes to destitute children and women at a city-based shelter home. “Instead of investing in extravagant clothes and jewellery, we decided to buy new clothes for those who need them,” said Subhashree.In a quiet departure from the usual crackle of fireworks at ‘baraat’, the couple chose a greener prelude to their wedding by planting saplings of medicinal and fruit-bearing plants on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The wedding will also be marked by guests and residents taking an oath for a child marriage-free society.