Pramod Kashyap, who also got married through CYYNS, said: 'Even though I made it clear that I would not take any dowry, I was not getting the girl of my choice.'

'I remember, within a month Girish Dixit, one of Ajayji associates approached me with a marriage proposal of a girl in the Sandi locality. The proposal was finalized and ultimately I got my type of girl,' said Kashyap, who owns a grocery store in Hardoi.

For matchmaking, CYYNS has also roped in a number of social organisations and activists.

'While some poor families that are aware about CYYNS services approach us directly, other families avail of the same during our publicity campaigns being organised on a regular basis in different villages,' Mishra added.

In consultation with government officials, CYYNS volunteers also keep preparing and updating the database containing information about poor families in villages.

'This also helps us come in contact with poor families. Our members working in various villages try to meet at least after four to six months in Hardoi, where we shortlist the girls eligible for marriage. Later, we approach the girl's family and after their consent we launch the hunt for a suitable match.'

'On several occasions, we got a suitable match in the form of our own member who accepted the marriage proposal,' said Mishra, whose organisation also raises funds for holding mass marriages without dowry.

People from various walks of life, including teachers, doctors, researchers and others have joined the organisation against its dowry campaign.

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)