The heart loves without age
Mr Kunal Mukherjee and Ms. Ashoka Bhattacharya are both 65 years old. He had divorced twice and she was a widow. But no age or breakage can stop them from finding love again when life has passed. They were a couple who were childhood friends and were childhood friends, but their fate was unsuccessful, and each of them changed direction.
Until many years later, when they accidentally meet again, the old flame bursts out. Mr Kunal asked Ms. Ashoka: "Do you think it is time for us to think about going to the festival together?". Ms. Ashoka replied calmly, Yes, we can do it.
Two years later, in 2023, they held a quiet wedding ceremony at the bride's house, without any guests, including children.
In India, remarriage at this age is almost not encouraged by society, especially for widowed or divorced women. When Ashoka reported the news to her relatives, she received a backlash. At this age, no one supports women in finding new partners. My sisters, Iars, and close friends are all angry and discouraged me, Ashoka said. However, the two still decided to hold hands and continue.
They are not the only group in India who are reluctant to be lonely in old age. More and more elderly people in this country are quietly looking for companions to share the rest of their lives with. They register for matchmaking services, even use dating apps - despite the harsh eyes of society.
Solutions to loneliness - from nursing homes to dating services
A previous study by the Agewell Foundation showed that 15% of people aged 60 and over in Indian cities live alone. Of the 10,000 people surveyed, more than 40% said that affected their mental health.
Many elderly people come to the hospital and tell me that they live meaninglessly, just want to end their lives, says Dr. Arunansu Talukdar, Head of the Geriatrics Department at Kolkata University Hospital. Many people have lost their partners, their children go far away to work, or have never been married. They struggle to find the meaning of life.
According to Mr. Amitava De Sarkar - Secretary of the Thikana Shimla charity organization, loneliness is a silent killer, it makes the elderly feel more pain and weakness, the solution is to need a companion: "At this age, people are afraid of everything, from pain, illness to death. Everything makes them want to have someone by their side.
His organization regularly organizes meetings and connections for the elderly, about 4 times a year and is very successful, many people are willing to participate.
Even in places that few people think of, love is still blossoming. At a nursing home in Assam, the love story of Mr. Padmeswar Goala (71 years old) and Ms. Jayaprabha Bora (65 years old) once cost the press a lot of paper.
Both lived single all their lives until fate made them meet in a nursing home. It was Ms. Bora who confessed first.
The whole family was happy for the couple. They held a roasting wedding in January, with more than 4,000 attendees - most of whom were curious locals coming to bless them. The cost is contributed by the community.
Everyone dreams of getting married. So we have helped them realize that dream, said Utpal Harshavardhan, a director at the nursing home.
After the wedding, the nursing home was broken into, letting the two old men live in a double bed room. Mr. Harshavardhan even took care of the honeymoon for the "bride's newlyweds" at a nearby location.
However, this beautiful love story still encounters some gossip and laughter from unwilling people. But the elderly couple did not care. For them, love is the most beautiful thing left in this age group.
Love is wrong, how to get rid of prejudice?
Love of old age does not necessarily have to come with marriage. In the city of Pune, near Mumbai, there is a matchmaking service called Happy seniors, which connects elderly people who want to live together without getting married.
Ms. Asawari Kulkarni, 73 years old, shared: "After the divorce, I understood how complicated marriage is. I don't want to go to court again at this age. The idea of living together without getting married is really good.
She decided to try living with her boyfriend without getting married, a very new concept in India.
Happy seniors have paired for more than 90 couples since 2012, collecting about 7,000 rupees (equivalent to 2.1 million VND) for membership fees. Members can meet via video chat twice a month, meet monthly, and even participate in a quarterly overnight vacation to get to know each other.
If the two of them agree, the company will help them sign a joint contract, divide their finances, living expenses, and intimate relationships. To protect women, men are required to deposit from 500,000 to 1 million rupees (equivalent to 150 million to 300 million VND). If a dispute arises and the man gives up halfway, this money belongs to the woman. In case of a peaceful breakup, the money will be refunded.
Kulkarni and her boyfriend Anil Yardi have been together for 10 years, sharing all expenses, housework, and even going for health and HIV testing together to keep transparency. We were clear with each other from the beginning, so as not to doubt each other, she said. However, what makes them most tired is not love, but the looks from relatives. Mr. Yardi's daughter was shocked to know that her father lived together without getting married, while Mrs. Kulkarni's son strongly objected and advised her to return to her ex-husband, but she firmly refused because: "I know my ex-husband's personality will never change".
Happy seniors founder Madhav Damle always advises older members who register for matchmaking: Dont just think about your children. Only when they take care of their own happiness can they find a partner.
Although society is gradually becoming more open, women still have to face many prejudices. Sultana Abdullah, 67, has been an flight attendant for 37 years, is used to being independent but still longs for a best friend, especially after her mother passed away. At that time, loneliness really crept into my blood vessels and nerves. I just think about having someone by my side, she confided. However, her family hoped that she would stay at home to pray instead of looking for love, because "in my place, people thought women had no need to love. If there is, we should keep it a secret.
Returning to the story of a post-apoc golden couple, Ms. Bhattacharya admitted that for women, things are not simple. Her new husband, Mr. Mukherjee, said frankly: As a man, I dont care what anyone says. But for our generation, things are much more complicated for women.
Having secretly kept their relationship, now they are not afraid to go public. Ms. Bhattacharya affirmed: It is true that our love story is a bit special. But we are very happy and don't want anyone to interfere." Mr. Mukherjee humorously said: "Whoever doesn't like it, let it be. The world has changed. Now, at least for the remaining years of your life, live for yourself.
