To keep peace with the fastly changing social structure of India in general and the Hindu society in particular in the period of the last fifty years it is expedient to amend the Ss. 7 and 11 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Section 7 of the said Act lays down as under: A Hindu marriage may be solemnized in accordance with the customary rites and ceremonies of either party thereto. Where such rites and ceremonies include the Saptapadi (that is, the taking of seven steps by the bridegroom and the bride jointly before the sacred fire), the marriage becomes complete and binding when the seventh step is taken. The Hon’ble Supreme Court has held that a marriage is not proved unless the essential ceremonies required for its solemnization are proved to have been performed. The case on this provision is reported in AIR 1965 SC 1564, Bhaurao Shankar Lokhande v. State of Maharashtra. < ....