Autumn romance may not be unheard of, but what about beginning a live-in relationship after crossing the sixties and seventies? If what five senior women, all coincidentally from south India, preferred in their applications for partners to the Vina Mulya Amulya Seva (VMAS) is any indication, then this might be an emerging but less known paradigm.
VMAS had arranged a platform on Sunday in the city for lonely hearts of the older generation to find spouses, which several senior citizens from places as far away as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and even the US, besides all across Gujarat, attempted to put to best use. Clad in the best attire, the old suitors flocked to the Swayamwar venue at the Town Hall as part of the All India Senior Citizens Marriage Mela.
The well-suited and booted men, with excitement and anticipation more than obvious on their old faces, could hardly wait to see the beautifully dressed and equally old women. The prospective candidates were introduced one at a time on stage where they looked up each other and made a note of their favourite choices, so as to meet the chosen ones for a special one-hour personal chat session after the programme.
The males had a tougher task though. About 500 men turned up at the event, compared to only 80 women who sashayed up the stage for them. Over 800 aged applicants had applied to VMAS, seeking spouses.
Incidentally, VMAS has successfully fixed the marriages of 22 such couples this year alone.
Sixty-year-old Ghanshyam, one of the old couples who married through VMAS, said: “My new wife had three sons but she was living alone as they never took care of her. We met through this organisation and were married. Re-marriage is not wrong. Women should open up more as they are the ones who face severe problems when they lose their husbands.”
Old age is often associated with loneliness, health complications and depression, especially for women who are
widowed or divorced. Re-marriage still being a taboo, women just do not open up. “Being a divorcee I know it is a little difficult for women to be accepted in society, which is why not all women come forward for initiatives like this.” “I chose this method as I found it more reliable than the marriage portals. But women should come out of a closed mindset and get set to start afresh. After all, at this age we only want companionship and security,” said Rekha (45), a divorcee.
Those who believe marriages are for the young and oldies cannot enjoy marriages may find disagreement in Kanti Bhatt, an author and a columnist. “Even at the age of 77, I can enjoy sex. So oldies who think there is no life after 50 should correct themselves.”
The bubbly spirits of the old men and women at the event was the actual show stealer. The grandpas and grandmas showed no hesitation to try and choose new partners and begin life anew. Many were divorcees and widows, and were looking ahead with a lot of hope.
Indu Shah (70), who flew from the US hoping to find his lady love, said there is nothing like a ‘desi’ partner. “There are many beautiful women in the US. I have enjoyed a lot in life. But I want an ordinary woman from Gujarat who can take care of me,” he said.
Babu Chawda, a delegate, who is also a social activist, said: “I am a 79-year-old widower and I live alone. I want a companion who can love me. What is wrong in getting married at this age? I am not really that old!”
Courtesy : www.indianexpress.com
VMAS had arranged a platform on Sunday in the city for lonely hearts of the older generation to find spouses, which several senior citizens from places as far away as Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and even the US, besides all across Gujarat, attempted to put to best use. Clad in the best attire, the old suitors flocked to the Swayamwar venue at the Town Hall as part of the All India Senior Citizens Marriage Mela.
The well-suited and booted men, with excitement and anticipation more than obvious on their old faces, could hardly wait to see the beautifully dressed and equally old women. The prospective candidates were introduced one at a time on stage where they looked up each other and made a note of their favourite choices, so as to meet the chosen ones for a special one-hour personal chat session after the programme.
The males had a tougher task though. About 500 men turned up at the event, compared to only 80 women who sashayed up the stage for them. Over 800 aged applicants had applied to VMAS, seeking spouses.
Incidentally, VMAS has successfully fixed the marriages of 22 such couples this year alone.
Sixty-year-old Ghanshyam, one of the old couples who married through VMAS, said: “My new wife had three sons but she was living alone as they never took care of her. We met through this organisation and were married. Re-marriage is not wrong. Women should open up more as they are the ones who face severe problems when they lose their husbands.”
Old age is often associated with loneliness, health complications and depression, especially for women who are
widowed or divorced. Re-marriage still being a taboo, women just do not open up. “Being a divorcee I know it is a little difficult for women to be accepted in society, which is why not all women come forward for initiatives like this.” “I chose this method as I found it more reliable than the marriage portals. But women should come out of a closed mindset and get set to start afresh. After all, at this age we only want companionship and security,” said Rekha (45), a divorcee.
Those who believe marriages are for the young and oldies cannot enjoy marriages may find disagreement in Kanti Bhatt, an author and a columnist. “Even at the age of 77, I can enjoy sex. So oldies who think there is no life after 50 should correct themselves.”
The bubbly spirits of the old men and women at the event was the actual show stealer. The grandpas and grandmas showed no hesitation to try and choose new partners and begin life anew. Many were divorcees and widows, and were looking ahead with a lot of hope.
Indu Shah (70), who flew from the US hoping to find his lady love, said there is nothing like a ‘desi’ partner. “There are many beautiful women in the US. I have enjoyed a lot in life. But I want an ordinary woman from Gujarat who can take care of me,” he said.
Babu Chawda, a delegate, who is also a social activist, said: “I am a 79-year-old widower and I live alone. I want a companion who can love me. What is wrong in getting married at this age? I am not really that old!”
Courtesy : www.indianexpress.com