HYDERABAD: More than 400 people, including an 80-year-old, above the age of 50 gathered at Majestic Hotel at RTC crossroads with the hope for companionship and to start new friendships. While most of them came in from across Telugu states, a group of 47 senior citizens flew down all the way from Ahmedabad, for the sole purpose of bonding with people from similar age group.
Two individuals who have been courting for two months, on Sunday declared to their old and new friends that they will soon be getting married. The meet was organised by Thodu-Needa, an association for the welfare of aged in the Telugu states in association with Anubadh Foundation based in Ahmedabad. Both the organisations have been able to conduct at least 100 marriages of the elderly.
“With nuclear families replacing the joint family structure, a lot of elderly people, some whose spouses are no more and couples whose children are busy, are left abandoned. They too need some recreation and those who are single, most definitely need emotional support.
Since it is not easy for them to find companions, like youngsters, we decided to set up this platform for them,” said NM Rajeswari from Thodu Needa. With so many people turning up for the event, it shows that there is a strong need for companionship, she added.