Udupi: 70 years of blissful married life - Noronha couple inspires younger generation


Harshini Brahmavar
Pics: Jeevan Kolalagiri

Udupi, Oct 27 : In India, marriage is conceived to be life-long bond. It envisages fusion of two souls and pledge of sharing of challenges and joys together. Selfless sacrifice and understanding each other is the essence and soul of the relationship that is created through marriage.

Of late all of this is changing. Many a time we come across couple who get fed up with each other within a few years of their marriage. The patience, perseverance, excusing each other and overlooking the mistakes needed to make the marriage work are often lacking. The couple in course of time might decide to part their ways or lead a life in which they become opposing entities living under a single roof out of compulsion. Amid these developments, here is a contrasting report from Shirva that is very rare and heartening indeed.

A couple from Shirva near here has been celebrating 70 years of togetherness. Both the husband and wife are enthusiastic about celebrating platinum jubilee of their marriage. They are Pascal Noronha and Bridget Mathias.

A candid smile appears on the lips of these two elderly people when a mention about their marriage is made. The man is 94 now, and the wife, 88. Both move about with agility, and whenever they venture out, they hold each other's hands to support one another. They were 24 and 18 years old when their arranged marriage was conducted. Because of old age, they are unable to recollect exact dates. At present, they are living in the affectionate company of great grandchildren.

















The sharp recollection of utter poverty of yesteryear brings tears in the eyes of the woman even now. She says that her husband worked in a small bakery at Mumbai even when he was very young. After working there for about 20 years, the couple settled in their native place here and eked out a living by growing vegetables together. They too have minor fights occasionally, which end quickly. None of the fights have been extended so far as Pascal readily offers to strike a compromise, she confesses.

For their age, the couple is quite active. Pascal goes for a walk every morning. He cannot do without a newspaper thereafter. He also does Yoga practice, washes his own clothes, prepares coffee for his wife, and does other errands. He has not lost interest in working even at this old age.

Bridget in comparison, goes through some ups and downs in health condition. Otherwise, she too happens to be active, does domestic work without problem, and narrates interesting stories to great grandchildren. Guests visiting their house can feel the warmth spread by the radiant smiles of the couple without fail.

The couple has six children. The couple had provided them good education in spite of poverty, and all of them are in good positions. Eldest among the children is Thomas Noronha, while the second one is no more. Third is Fr Francis Noronha, fourth one is Ronald Noronha, fifth is Mabel Noronha, with the last one being Suneetha Noronha. All of them live happily with their respective families.

The couple has proved to be very loving and caring grandparents for their grandchildren. They also have found comfort in caressing and cuddling their great grandchildren. They have seen four generations during their lifetime. There can be no two opinions about the fact that this couple stands out as an excellent model for the modern day people. In their company, one realizes that mutual trust increases the depth of bond between individuals.

In this era of technology and mechanical life, human relations are taking a beating. There is a need for the parents to educate their children about the need to build a fulfilling relationship like that of this couple.

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Comment on this article

  • Abdul Raheem, Bangalore

    Sun, Oct 30 2016

    We are very Happy to read this beautiful article. Thanks to Daiji for interviewing the great couple. We all family & friends spent 4days from 10th to 14th October 2016, enjoyed with their older days achievements.They are the best role models for the new generation.
    God bless them with Good health and many more years of togetherness.

    We wish them all the best.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [5]

  • Irene Aranha, Saudi Arabia

    Sat, Oct 29 2016

    This article is overwhelming because this is about my dearest Moushi n Bappu. The family pic reminds me of a great banyan tree spread beneath the vast sky, nourished n flourished by the values imbibed by them,their hard work n Blessings from Almighty. May the elderly couple be Blessed by many more years of togetherness, health n happiness. Congratulations to the entire family.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [7]

  • Jossy Barboza, Shirva / Abu Dhabi

    Fri, Oct 28 2016

    Congratulations Mai & Bab, God bless you both, keep you both Happy & Healthy throughout your Life.
    Also God bless wonderful Family.....

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [5]

  • sr. Leeda Fernandes, Bellore-Denmark

    Fri, Oct 28 2016

    Congratulations! Wonderful couple, and super example for all modern couple. God bless You both & your Family. Iam praying for you all. Have a nice celebrating.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [4]

  • Leslie Arouza, Director, Family Commission

    Fri, Oct 28 2016

    Congratulations Dear Pascal & Bridgit Noronha. May God Bless them.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [4]

  • Lesly Menezes, shirva/u.s.a

    Fri, Oct 28 2016

    congratulations.almighty grant good health for young couple.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [8]

  • Vincent and Prescilla Machado, Shirva/ Toronto

    Fri, Oct 28 2016

    Congratulations dear Bijju Maushi and Pascal Bappu on 70 years of your blissful marital life.May God bless you with many more years of togetherness with good health and happiness.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [7]

  • Fr Valerian Mendonca, Pilar/Shirva/Barkur/Udupi

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    The great couple, Pascal & Bridgit Noronha, are an exemplar of marital fidelity. They have proved that marriage is one, permanent and indissoluble. May God bless them!

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Rudlf Quadras, Pilar/Dubai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations and Best Wishes on 70th Wedding Anniversary.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [11]

  • Peter Lewis, Kalmady/k s a

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    One life partner builds a diciplined society, and we know that is true. May God bless you with good health and happyness of togetherness with your family.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [10]

  • Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    It requires God's abundant blessings to be able to lead a good married life.
    Efforts and sacrifices are necessary but one partners effort will not make marriage success if other person takes advantage. Companions should be of compatible with each other.
    That's really very difficult. Therefore happy marriage is God's true blessing.
    May God bless this couple abundantly.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [9]

  • winny & Santhan, Udupi/Dubai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    As the writer narrated "A marriage is conceaved to be a life long bond",this couple is the true example for all the married couple as they've spent 70 years of togetherness.
    Kudos to this evergreen couple and to the entire fly.May Almighty grant them abundant happiness & peace for rest of their lives.
    Proud to be known to this fly through their multi talented daughter Sunita.Congrats Sunita!

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [9]

  • Marilou Mathias Rasquinha, Highlands

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Lovely pics, lovely family. Hope i have this as well ( 70 yrs ). wishful thinking !

    Wishing the Noronha couple plenty more years of togetherness and good health. God Bless.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [11]

  • AVIL DALMEIDA, DUBAI

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations Mai nd Bappu... I wish health and continued togetherness to you both.God bless your family.Love you both.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [13]

  • D Ganesan, Tiruchirapalli- Tamilnadu

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    God blessed Mr Pascal Norohna and Mrs Bridget Mathias couple and family. Wish God almighty bless them both 100 years. Model Indian family one should be proud of.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [19]

  • Lancy Noronha, Bellore-Bendur-Dubai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    A perfect couple in so many ways, you have been Husband and Wife for 70 years.
    You were always meant to be together then and now, and for the rest of your days. Wish you long life and good health.
    Our prayers.
    Happy “WEDDING ANNIVERSERY DEAR NORONHA FLY”

    Lancy Noronha -[LANCY NITE-MOGA SAGOR]
    KONKAN TARAM GROUP
    Bellore-Bendur-Dubai

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Anil Rego, Mangalore/Bangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations to the blissful 70 years married couple. Knowing Fr Francis Noronha personally, can vouch for the blissfulness of their married life. Grand Children and the Great Grand Children are blessed to have such an opportunity to be with the elders. May god bless them and the whole family abundantly.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Fr. Gabriel Mathias ofm, Shirva/Bangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations to Bijju Bai and Pascal maam. They have been part of the Pilar landscape from way back when I attended the Pilar school. They still attend Sunday Mass. May Go bless you with good health and happiness.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [13]

  • Sr.Rose Agnes A.c., Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Hearty Congratulations Pascal Bappu and Bijju Maushi. Recalling all the happy memories. Praying for good health and happiness.
    sr.rose agnes

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [13]

  • Canute Mathias, Mudarangadi/Dubai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Great. I met Mai in Dubai. Lovely person. I wish them happiness and good health always.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [11]

  • Af,,, mangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    congratulations on 75 years platinum jubile,only few people get this opportunity.godbless fmly.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [15]

  • NAVEEN, MANGALORE

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations.May God Bless them.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [18]

  • Maxim, Mulky

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    This couple is close to my heart. God bless the couple with good health and long live.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [15]

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congrats to you both Noronha couple. God bless you both and entire family members. This love story is simply beautiful.....but that doesn't happen these days, people have changed unfortunately. Double Amen for each and every one here..

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [13]

  • Alwyn Quadros, Pilar, Shirva

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations. I wish them good health.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [16]

  • Stanley Noronha, Kulshekar/ Kuwait

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Such a great wonderful couple, 70 years of married life and going strong. Hearty congratulations and hats off to you dear "Noronha couple". May god bless you with health, happiness and peace always. Have a blessed life ahead too. All the best.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [14]

  • Kusuma Kumari G, Nellore and Kodyadka

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Young people these divorce at the of a hat. But they must learn from this couple who are living so harmoniously They are great couples and deserves respect. These days men and women divorce just for silly reasons. Marriage is an institution both partners must love respect and live in a such a harmoniosu way so that marriage remains great

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • RTNMICHAELMATHIAS SHIRVA ROTARY, PILAR SHIRVA

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    congratulations.may god bless them. nice couple.wish u all the best.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Deepa.L & SJIschool Team, Bangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Thanks to Daiji world for their interview with this old couple with whom we spent 4days from 10th to 14th October 2016 and enjoyed their older days achievements and their creative life and received their Blessing with Lot funs & Happiness
    God Bless them with Good Health for many more Years.
    Congrajulations......
    Have a Great Day!

    Banglore

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Anu , Mangalore

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    The phrase that I liked the most in this article was that whenever they venture out, they hold each other's hands to support one another. What an amazing way to show support and love to each other. That's all marriages are all about that the other partner takes lead to support his or her mate in moments of weakness, sorrow, sickness. God bless them with many more years of love and togetherness.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [20]

  • jimmy noronha, Bellore, Lucknow

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    What a wonderful way to live one’s life the way this Noronha Couple does, and pleasure too to emulate their way of life by one and all? Isn’t it a breath of fresh air to behold that lovely house here, and that green beautiful nature smiling there, and in between trudging this Noronha couple, hand in hand, side by side, virtually defying age and hailing glory of God! It’s really wonderful, wonderful, to watch and read this little epistle on Noronha Daijis in the spread of Daijiworld.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [19]

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    God Bless ...

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [17]

  • Mahesh Prabhu, Mangalore / Doha

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Amazing! Amazing! Amazing! Many congratulations to the awesomest role model Noronha couple! May God bless them with best of health, peace and happiness!

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [34]

  • Manoj Menezes, Shirva/Abu Dhabi

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Happy to read the article about Bijju Maushi & Bappu. Wish you all the best and Good Health.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [20]

  • THERESA LOBO, MUKAMAR,SHARJAH

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Happy to read the Beautiful Story of this Noronha couple. Even at this old age they look so loving and caring for one another. Old is Gold and it is really True. May God bless this Beautiful couple and their entire beautiful family always.

    Congratulations to the Noronha Couple and May God Shower his choicest blessings on them. God bless them with Good health and many more years of togetherness.

    WISHING THEM all the BEST.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [21]

  • Stany Dsouza, Shanthigudde, Shirva

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    GREAT!!! ALL THE BEST

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [17]

  • Lydia Lobo, Kadri

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Greatness of a couple when growing older, is set aside & give the helm to the younger generation. This creates a healthy atmosphere in the family than hanging on to manage the affairs thus belittling ability of daughter-in-law entering the household. Love, understanding, and acceptance of shortfalls requires abundantly, when children start earning, to guide them to run the family as the older couple did int the past.

    Such contentment makes us to live longer, happier and healthier. I wish health and continued togetherness to Noronha couple.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [25]

  • CONRAD JOHN TAURO, SHIRVA/UDUPI/DUBAI

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Congratulations.
    God bless them.
    True Inspirations.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [24]

  • Flavian, Mangaluru/Kuwait

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Great, wonderful, so nice to see the old couple being tied to each other with love and affection.
    Blissful married life. Very touching to watch that scene sitting under the tree, on the parapet. (katte)
    Let us learn.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [25]

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Dubai/Mundkur

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Wonder full Dear Pascal Saab and Bridget Maam…. May GOD bless you and your family wonderful, healthy, wealthy life & long live

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [50]

  • FRANCIS, Dubai

    Thu, Oct 27 2016

    Truly this couple and the entire family has been blessed by the almighty.

    Wish them all the best and good luck.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [39]


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