CHENNAI:The Sree Geeta Bhavan Trust along with the Tamil Nadu Differently Abled Charitable Trust will conduct free mass marriages for persons with disability on November 4, 2018 at their hall in Gopalapuram. Swayamvarams will be held at various locations in Tamil Nadu prior to the wedding date.
The Trust has selected interested participants after visiting several villages in Tamil Nadu. Application forms are also available on both the organisations’ websites in English and Tamil. The form includes listings for seven disabilities as per the regulations by the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disability Act.
“We will arrange for a psychologist, psychiatrist, gynaecologist, general physician and a lawyer. We will also conduct counseling and a lab test,” said Ashok Kumar Goel, managing trustee, Sree Geeta Bhavan Trust, adding that HIV tests will also be conducted. “Considering their immobility, we will make arrangements to get marriage registration certificates under the TN Marriage Registration Act with the help of the Inspector General,” he added.
Transport will be arranged for the participants. A gold mangalyam, silver toe rings and two months of provisions will be given to each couple. “The disabled face hurdles in various forms, and this includes finding a life partner too,” said Goel. “Whenever there are opportunities provided to them, their talents emerge automatically. This is why we planned this mass marriage for persons with disability.”
Governor Banwarilal Purohit will attend the mass wedding to bless the couples.
The Trust has conducted 408 marriages in their eight years of operation