Dowry is a social evil in India that has led to deaths reported regularly in newspapers and on television. It has spoiled married life and taken a fearful form. Dowry originally meant gifts given by a girl's parents at marriage as a symbol of love and respect to help her set up a home, but over time has become a social evil where grooms demand dowry. People should avoid attending dowry-based weddings and girls should refuse marriage proposals that involve dowry demands to help address this social issue.