In Rajasthan on Akshya Tritiya, popularly known as Akha Teej hundreds of child marriages are openly performed despite the Child Marriage Restraint Act enacted in 1929 and amended in 1978 to make it more effective. Is it not a paradox that child marriages are most common in the State where Child Marriage Restraint Act, popularly known as the Sharda Act, was conceived ? Sri Harvilas Sharda who had given concrete shape to Sharda Act was a native of Ajmer in Rajasthan. Akha Teej is a time of rejoicing in whole of Rajasthan. This day is regarded as the most auspicious day for celebrating marriages. On this day practically every village, particularly those in western Rajasthan near Bikaner, Tonk, sirohi, Jhalwar, Jodhpur, Jaiselmer marriages are performed in large numbers. Any place be it a house, a lane, a street, a tractor or a bus seems to be reverberating with sounds of music and gorgeously dressed baratis can be seen in their festive best accompanying small brides and bridegr ....