Age no bar to tie the nuptial knot

Cupid doesn’t discriminate. He  strikes the old and young alike. Bearing this in mind, senior citizens in Mumbai will soon defy social barriers to embark upon a search for their soulmates.

A first-of-its-kind match making initiative for live-in and same-sex companionship will be held in the city next month by groups working with the elderly.

Close to 80 people have registered for Senior Citizens Jeevan Saathi Samelan scheduled to be held in Mahim on April 7. About 10% have registered for live in relationship or seeking same-sex companionship.

Smita Maniar, 77, a widow from Parel, says that the nature of companionship may not necessary be sexual. “It would be great if I find a lady friend with whom I can go watch a film or play a game of cards,” says Maniar.

The brainchild behind encouraging senior citizens find their love is Ahmedabad-based Natubhai Patel, founder of Vina Mulya Amulya Seva. Patel has, so far, played Cupid to nearly 100 couples – 75 marriages and 25 live-in relationships among senior citizens in India.

Indubhai Jani, 70, from Rajkot and Shardaben, 66, from Ahmedabad moved in a live-in relationship five years ago. “Senior citizens who have lost their spouses don’t remarry as their children and their spouses do not welcome the idea,” said Patel.

“Besides, there are issues of property inheritance and other tricky situations, which make senior citizens looking for love defy social customs and opt for live-in relationships.”

A 2012 study by Help Age India revealed that 39% of senior citizens in India live alone without financial or emotional support.

“They too would want to go out for coffee or a movie but don’t want marriage imposed on them. Retirees now live till at least 80 years. Old women are outliving their spouses. Will the chunk of our old population spend the rest of their 20 to 30 years of life alone? That’s a scary proposition. Companionship is a need of old age,” said Sailesh Mishra of Silver Innings Foundation.

@mait_p