Thirty-one year-old M. Prabhu of Usilampatti had been under pressure to find his soul mate ever since he turned 20. Struck by polio at a tender age, his disability impacted the likelihood of his marriage. Mr. Prabhu believed that he would never enter wedlock. But things took a turn for the better when he attended the third edition of ‘Swayamvaram’ for the differently abled where he finally found his life partner.
He was one of the six differently abled people who found their soul mates at the matrimonial meet organised by the Tamil Nadu Physically Handicapped Associations Service Federation.
Elegantly dressed, the participants had travelled long distances to reach the venue in Nagamalai Pudukottai near here on Sunday. Around 320 men and women registered their names to take part in the ‘swayamvaram’ in the presence of their family members.
“I had no expectations before coming to the ‘swayamvaram,’ but I am happy that I found my life partner here,” says Kanipandi who is Mr. Prabhu’s fiancé now. The couple met at the counselling session organised at a college as part of the ‘swayamvaram’ and decided to get married. The ‘swayamvaram’ included a counselling session for prospective couples by legal experts, psychologists, psychiatrists and gynaecologists, says S. Boopathi, State general secretary (South Zone) of the Federation.
David, an M.A. graduate, who is visually impaired, says, “I never wanted to get married. But, later realised I needed someone to take care of me. When I came to know about the ‘swayamvaram,’ I participated in it.” Mr. David is looking forward to be engaged to a woman of his own choice. “I am searching for an educated girl who can look after the administration of the church where I work,” he says.
According to R. Ramalingam, president (South Zone) of the forum, several women who have no disabilities are eager to marry differently abled men. “Sadly, not many ‘normal’ men come forward to marry women with disabilities,” he adds.
According to the organisers, around 200 couples from Madurai will be selected to take part in the grand wedding celebration in Chennai on November 6.
Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa and Collector L. Subramanian blessed the couples and offered felicitations.
