One is never too old to get married, especially if one is lonely and cast away by one’s kith and kin. That is what V Gopinathan,76, and C Suseela, 64, did by beginning a second life on the World Geriatric Day.
The couple, inmates of Gandhi Bhavan, a home for the abandoned and the destitute people here, tied the knot putting their unhappy past behind on Monday. Present on the occasion to bless them were Kodikunnil Suresh MP, Ambalapuzha SNDP union president Kalavoor Gopinath and Adoor SNDP union former president Adoor Rajan at Gandhi Bhavan.
Troubled familial relationships led Gopinathan of Thondankulangara in Alappuzha, who belonged to a reputed family, to the destitute home.
The former aeronautical engineer divorced his wife, who was a former principal of a reputed college, over some financial disputes around 26 years ago. The relationship with his children too was strained. His son was involved in the notorious Palluruthy bank robbery, which worsened the family atmosphere.
Suseela of Karicode has a different story to tell. After her husband died 23 years ago, she educated her two children by working in a cashew factory. She sought refuge at the destitute home, sickened by the treatment of her children and her in-laws.
Though hailing from two different social spheres, they were able to share the sorrows of similar fate. “It was definitely not love. When Gandhi Bhavan authorities suggested that we get married, we agreed. I led a lonely life for the past 26 years and now I am feeling happy,” Gopinathan told Express.
Gopinathan had quit plum posts with the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited and an American company in Singapore three decades back for his family’s sake. He did meagre jobs for the rest of his life and as a result could save nothing.
The Gandhi Bhavan authorities have allotted them a separate room.
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