Kerala Minister 'unites' old age inmates into matrimony

It was stuff of which one might have seen in reel life, but State Minister for Agriculture V.S. Sunil Kumar ensured that in 'real life', 67 year old Kochaniyan and 66 year old Lakshmiyammal entered wedlock, after around 20 years, it was first proposed.

Both the bridegroom and the bride are inmates at an old age home near here and the two got married yesterday, with other inmates and invited guests as anxious onlookers and everyone was given a good meal too.

Speaking to IANS Kumar said that he was lucky to join the two hands of the couple and declared them as husband and wife.

"Both of them were married to different people many years back. But these two people lost their better half and had no children also. For the past almost two decades they were living apart and a few months back, he who used to at times visit Lakshmiyammal at this old age home fell unwell and was shifted to a old age home at Wayanad," said Kumar.

"When he regained his health, he mentioned about her to the old age home authorities, who moved him to the old age home, here, where she was staying. According to the rules of the Social Justice department, if inmates decide to get married, then the authorities can take appropriate action and that's how today they have become husband and wife," added Kumar.

The story is Kochaniyan was a part time musician at a temple in Thrissur many years back and after that he worked as a part time worker at a catering unit which was owned by the first husband of Lakshmiyammal.

But with her husband passing away more than two decades ago, Kochaniyan proposed to her, but was rejected then.

But, today they have become one and they will continue to live at the old age home with their lingering ailments too.IANS