Making matches for special ones

13.06.2016, Chennai: At a swayamvaram held here on Sunday, more than a hundred unmarried hearing and speech-impaired people from across the state came together in search of life partners. Among them was a 2015 National Award recipient, an Army soldier, IT employees and even a man without disabilities looking for a bride.

"My 28-year-old daughter seeks the hand of a graduate. Religion is no bar," announced Vanitha Pushpam on stage, speaking for her daughter Nivetha who received the National Award for best employee with multiple disabilities from Union finance minister Arun Jaitley last December. The jewellery-designer who has cerebral palsy (80%) and total hearing loss also works as a trainer at the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities in Muttukadu.

Next on stage was 26-year-old Balaraman, whose lower portion is paralysed. "I am capable of looking after a woman. Is there a bride out there for me?" Balaraman, who has studied till Class 12 and lives in Aminjikarai, said. He works for a leather manufacturing unit and earns 15,000 per month.

Among those looking on eagerly was a 32-year-old man without disabilities. S Karthik from Vellore who separated from his wife a year ago was in search of a bride. Karthik said, "After my wife left me, I have committed to look after a disabled woman. I have issues of my own and I do not see any handicap in the women here."

Om Divine Consciousness, an NGO, conducted the swayamvaram at a marriage hall in Vepery for the fourth successive year. It has so far helped make six matches.