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- By NEETA LAL
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A “matrimonial meet’’ hosted by non-profit organisation Vina Mulye Amulya Seva (VMAS) saw the attendance of over 300 single, divorced and widowed people from across the country.
However, this was no ordinary meet. All the attendees were senior citizens well into their 60s and 70s with a few even pushing 80! Kitted out in their Sunday best, the seniors — a few with walking sticks — were accompanied by their friends, children, even grandchildren!
“My mother passed away three months ago and it was a shock for all of us,” admitted Ketki Dave, 38, a school teacher who was accompanying her 68-year-old father. “My dad retreated into a depression. So I convinced him to come along to this fair. Let’s hope we’re able to finalise a proposal for him.”
Meanwhile in Vadodara, a “blind date” was organised by VMAS for over 400 elderly men and women last month. The participation rules were simple. The attendees paid a nominal registration fee which entitled them to an hour-long interaction with other interested parties and helped them zero in on their choice. A complimentary lunch allowed further bonding between people. A Hindu priest was also present to match horoscopes, if required. Just in case the couples decided to tie the knot at the venue itself, VMAS facilitated that, too.
Encouraged by the ebullient response to their meets, VMAS is now fanning out its operations to Mumbai, Bangalore and Kota.
“Rather than head for old-age homes, we encourage senior citizens to get married and spend the last few years of their lives happily with a companion,” says Natu Patel, an organiser with VMAS, who has helped hundreds of elderly Indian couples find suitable mates over the last five years.
- To encourage more women to attend marriage fairs, the organisation has an added incentive — a beautiful sari is presented to each participant along with reimbursement for train fare and local transport.
- Clearly, life begins at 60!
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