Meet helps elderly in search of companion for life

Wife of B Nathulal, a 67-year-old businessman from Raichur, died of cardiac arrest three-and-a-half years ago. Similarly, Subbarama Murthy (67) of Bangalore, a retired automobile engineer, lost his wife to cancer 10 years ago.

Both the men, to beat the loneliness and start life afresh, joined over 200 men and 20 women who are also in search of companion for life, at a matrimonial meet held for seinior citizens in the City on Sunday.

People aged between 40 and 85, attended the day-long meet organised by Vina Mulya Amulya Sewa, a senior citizens’ marriage bureau.

“Loneliness is a slow poison. Children do not have time because they are settled in their lives. The majority of widowed senior citizens need someone to share their feelings,” said Natubhai Patel, president of the Bureau, explaining the objective of the meet.

Nathulal, who came all the way to Bangalore from Raichur, said: “It is impossible to get someone like my wife with whom I spent so many years. I have not told my two sons and two daughters that I am here. After things move further, I will tell them. They all love me, but are very busy with their lives. I feel very lonely and need a companion.”

Having accomplished all his responsibilities, including marriage of his three daughters, Subbarama Murthy is now planning to start his life afresh. “My daughters and sons-in- law love me very much. But I feel very lonely now and need a companion. So I have come here. Of course, I will marry only with the consent of my family members. But, today I have come alone. Only if I find someone interesting, I will inform my family members and take things forward,” he said.

 The bureau, Patel said, organises only match-making and not marriage.

He claimed the event received an overwhelming response. Taking cue from its success in Indore, Bhopal, Pune, Mumbai, Raipur, Ranchi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Faridabad and Deharadun, it was held in Bangalore. Next, it will be organised in Delhi, Kolkota, Chennai, Bihar, Punjab and Assam. So, far the bureau has helped 60 couples get married and 12 settled for a live-in relationship, he added. People attended the Sunday’s meet with an open mind to discuss their status and health issues, before taking things forward. Many came with the consent of their family members.

Sujatha (45), who stays with her elder brother and sister-in-law, said: “My sister and brother are well settled. I never found suitable life partner. So I have come to the matrimonial meet. But most of them are above 50,” she said.