Parents of five tie nuptial knot after 23 years in MP

Friday was special for 42-year-old Ganga Ram and his 40-year-old live-in partner Rupa Bai. The couple tied the nuptial knot 23 years after engagement, in Sendhwa village of MP’s Barwani district.

Gangaram, a broom maker by profession, looked shy while riding on horseback during his wedding procession from Dawal Baidi area to his bride’s house at Devjhiri colony of Sendhwa. “’Mere bhi ghodi chadhne ke armaan poore ho gaye.(My desire of riding a mare as a groom was fulfilled today),” he said.

It was the impending marriage of their eldest son Rahul that made the couple exchange garlands to socially enter into wedlock.

Gangaram’s parents, his siblings, their families, friends and relatives participated in the wedding ceremony. The couple’s five children – three sons and two dauhters- were also present on the happy occasion.

BJP youth wing’s district general secretary and Gangaram’s childhood friend Ganesh Rathod said the bride and the groom got engaged about 23 years ago, but the marriage was delayed as Gangaram did not have enough savings.

Being the eldest among 14 siblings, Gangaram along with Rupa took responsibility of other family members. Gangaram not only took care of his siblings but also got them married. His friends said Gangaram took on the lead role of the family to take care of his siblings. During all these , the couple became parents of five children including their eldest son Rahul.

“Next month, Gangaram’s eldest son Rahul, 21, is going to be married and that put both Gangaramm and Rupa in dilemma. If the couple had not married, uncomfortable questions would have been raised… and that might have put Rahul’s marriage in trouble,” Rathod said.

To avoid any trouble for their children, Gangaram and Rupa discussed the issue with their family members who subsequently asked the couple to go ahead with their decision to tie the nuptial knot.

Recalling the hard times faced by their brother and sister-in-law, Gangaram’s brothers Santosh and Ramesh asserted it was a moment of celebration after all these long years.

First Published: Mar 27, 2016 19:45 IST