Direction: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

There is a huge park in Moscow known as Peace Park. In the middle of this Peace Park there is a large monument. There is a pillar and on the pillar the different battles fought by Russia have been mentioned along with dates and places. Every Russian is proud of this park and it is a spot visited by all tourists.

The day I went to the park was a Sunday. It was drizzling and cold, though it was summer. I was standing under an umbrella and enjoying the beauty. Suddenly, my eyes fell on a young couple. It was apparent that they had just got married. The girl was in her mid-twenties, slim with blond hair and blue eyes. The boy was almost of the same age and very handsome. He was in a military uniform. The girl was holding a bouquet and the two were standing with their arms linked. I started wondering why they had come to this park in this rain soon after getting married. I watched as they walked together to the dais near the memorial, kept the bouquet, bowed their heads in silence and slowly walked back.

By now I was very curious to know what was going on. I could not ask the couple because they probably could not speak English. There was an old man standing with them. He looked at me, my sari and asked, 'Are you an Indian?' I replied, 'Yes, I am an Indian.'

'After a little chat with him, I decided to ask him. 'Will you tell me why that young couple visited the war memorial on their wedding day?'

'Oh, that is the custom in Russia. After signing the register at the marriage office, married couples must visit the important national monuments nearby. Every boy in this country has to serve in the military for a couple of years at least. Regardless of his position, he must wear his service uniform for the wedding.'

'Why is that?'

'This is a mark of gratitude. Our forefathers have given their lives in the various wars Russia has fought. The newly-married couple needs to remember they are living in a peaceful, independent Russia because of their ancestors' sacrifices. They must ask for their blessings. Love for the country is more important than wedding celebrations.'