From the brink to talk of the town

Family members of Manjula R, who left their homes with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, saw her get married on Sunday.

This became possible thanks to several organisations which came together to help love triumph over the disaster caused by floods.

The marriage was on the brink of postponement till last week as the family, now living in a relief camp, had worries that were far more serious. Seva Bharati, Lions Club, Daivajna Brahmana Samaja and other organisations besides countless donors ensured that the couple tied the knot.

Annappa R, brother of the bride, had arranged loans of Rs 2 lakh and spent thousands of rupees on clothes.

“I have lost my father. So, I had sought loans from people. But none of them is in a position to lend us. Yet, a grand marriage is beyond what I expected,” he said.

Speaking to DH, Manjula said she was very happy to see that the whole town had come to her marriage like relatives. “We had nothing and now, seeing this, I am so happy,” she said and became emotional. Her husband Rajish, from Koothuparamba in Kerala, held her hand.

Lions Club president K K Damodar had dressed up to play the role of the girl’s father, while Mohan Das, member of the club, had worn traditional clothes from Kerala to represent the family of the groom.

Seva Bharati secretary Mahesh Kumar said the marriage was possible because of media attention. “We did not do much. It was the positive response from the people after the media attention that made all this possible,” he said.

Over 500 people wished the couple at Brahmanara Kalyana Mantapa, the venue. The couple will leave for Kerala in the evening. But the family of the bride has no home to return to.

“A part of the hill was sliding towards our home at Emmettalu (in Makkanduru) the last time I saw it. We can’t even go there as the road has been cut off. We don’t know where to go. We are thankful to the people who are helping us,” said Sumitra, Manjula’s mother.