CHENNAI: After five successful years of organising mass marriages for the differently abled, Shree Geetha Bhavan Trust is all set to venture into the sixth year. “It has been a great journey so far,” said Ashok Kumar Goel, managing trustee of Geetha Bhavan, addressing mediapersons in the city on Tuesday. “Service to the needy and the deserving has always been our main motive. One of the most important task and celebration is the mass marriage of the differently abled. I am very glad to announce that we will be holding the event for the sixth consecutive time, this July,” he added.
Over the past five years, the Trust has organised 248 marriages, transcending boundaries of caste, creed, religion and colour.
“Last year, we conducted 58 marriages and witnessed participation by those from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Kerala and Karnataka,” said Simma Chandran, secretary of Tamil Nadu Handicapped Federation Charitable Trust, which has been working with Geetha Bhavan.
Members of the Trust said that most often people with disability were left out and isolated, which was a social problem.
“The challenge these people face is tremendous. It affects them both physically and emotionally. They need to know that they too can lead a normal life and have a partner,” added Simma Chandran.
The entire process is conducted in a systematic manner. First, the interested ones, who are less than 40 years of age, must submit the application forms. They can be divorcees, unmarried or normal, but willing to marry a differently abled person. Their applications will be scrutinised. Later, they will be counselled by gynaecologists, physicians and psychologists. A background check will also be conducted.
“We have to be absolutely sure, as over a year ago, we came across a HIV+ve man. Another person who claimed to be 30, was found to be 50-plus. We want to rule out all misgivings,” said Ashok Goel.
This year, the Swayamvaram will be conducted in five districts, Villupuram (July 19), Thiruvarur (July 26), Madurai (August 9), Erode (August 16) and Chennai (August 23).
Selected couples will be provided free travel and accommodation services and as a custom, they will be offered gold thali, marriage attire, two months’ groceries and home decor items.
The marriage will be conducted according to Hindu traditions and registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, to obtain marriage certificates at the same place.
The application forms can be downloaded from www.geetabhavan.com or www.hfctmatri.com. The last date for submitting the forms is July 15, 2015.
