Tying the knot after 20 years of ‘living in’

Bhopal : After a two-decade “live in” relationship, two senior citizens in Madhya Pradesh’s Chattarpur district finally got married last week

Natthu Saudagar, 78, and Meera Vishwakarma, 60, got married according to Islamic rites in Isha Nagar locality of Chattarpur, over 300 km from here. Meera embraced Islam to marry Natthu, a Muslim. She took the name Shabina upon conversion.

Significantly, when the “Nikah” was being performed Friday (Feb 24), Natthu’s first wife was present.

“Natthu and Meera used to live in Gaharwar village that is situated near Isha Nagar. After the death of Meera’s husband several years back, it was Natthu who had supported her and stood by her in every situation,” Boby Mitra, a resident of Isha Nagar, told IANS.

“However, their families did not accept and opposed them. But both remained close. Finally, both were ostracised from society and they shifted to Isha Nagar. There, they remained in a live-in relationship for 20 years,” Mitra added.

“Natthu has six children from his first wife and a dozen grandsons while Meera has a son from her first husband. One of Natthu’s grandsons recently got married,” Ashish Agrawal, another resident of Isha Nagar, told IANS.

Ashish, a photographer took pictures of the marriage.

“The children from their first marriage had nothing to do with them, while Natthu’s first wife had no objection,” he added.