Mangalore: Marriages Lived on Earth - Golden Couples' Day Out
by Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
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Mangalore, Nov 24: They walked down the aisle with their partners in tow with the excitement and nostalgia writ large on their faces. Impeccably dressed holding their partners hands tenderly for help, reassurance or just to convey the love brimming from within, they marched in style and elegance as they were ushered in to the hall from the chapel in procession accompanied by music. The excitement and enthusiasm was evident as many of them re-lived the memories of their wedding 50 and more years back. Greeted with the showers of rose water and flower petals as they went in a procession the couples enjoyed every moment of this nostalgic event.
The only difference was that their steps were slower and incoherent and some even took the help of a stick or the shoulder of their partners as they moved. But that did not dampen their spirits as the thrill that went along with the entire event was worth their efforts. It was an historic day for the 47 couple who were felicitated for having completed 50 and more marathon years of their marital life. They smiled, giggled and even felt shy as their kith and kin greeted and watched them marching hand in hand. It was the most touching moment for most of the couples and their family. The participating golden couples were Mangaloreans settled in different places. Of the 47 couples 6 Mangalorean couples had come from different parts of the country.
The event was organized by Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) to felicitate the “golden couple” and also to know the secrets of their long and successful stint at marriage. 66 years of marriage and still going strong was the ‘marathon couple’ Julian Moniz and his partner Margaret Mary Moniz, who were married on 20th May, 1943. They were married in Bendoor church and their marriage was solemnized by later Fr. Charles Lobo. Julian Moniz who recently was in the news winning the mini-marathon for veterans in Mangalore, is running 93 but looks stronger than his partner. “Life has been good to me and I am thankful to god for giving me a long innings at marriage”, he stated in the midst of enjoying his dinner with his partner. Moniz has fixed his target of completing 70 years of marriage and is confident of achieving it.
The couple Benetdict Krishnan and his wife Elvira Louiza D’Sa Krishnan are celebrating their 50 years of marriage and are fit for their age. 50 years together and the couple are madly in love and are fond of each other’s company. “We feel excited and thrilled. It was better and grandeur than our actual marriage”, an excited Elvira Pointed out. Elvira is a Mangalorean and Benedict is a Madarasi and they met in Mumbai, at work place. Sparks of love kindled, blossomed and they were married. The couple are settled in Mangalore since 1992. “We love each other and cultural adjustments did not come in the way of our marriage”, added Krishnan.
A proud Joyce Vas watched her parents Mr William D Souza and Constance D Souza, (Son of A R D Souza) when Justice Saldanha came to their table to handover the memento. “I am thrilled more than my parents. My parents were excited and were preparing for this event for long. I remember my parents telling me they had celebrated their honeymoon in Mysore and were lodged in Hotel Das Prakash, which had just started”, she points out.
The whole idea was to recreate am milieu to remind the couple their wedding day. The brain behind the idea was Dr Michael Lobo, genealogist and the implementation was done by the Nostalgic Reunion Committee comprising Committee Chairman Dr Derick Lobo and Secretary Neil D Souza. Dr Michael visited parishes and collected data of about 100 golden couple and an invitation was sent to the couple to be a part of this grand event. “A year’s effort has gone behind the whole event. 47 golden couple responded and it turned out to be a very memorable event. There were tears of joy in the eyes of many couples which showed our efforts have fructified”, remarked Neil D Souza.
The event began with the mass in Latin at St Aloysius College Chapel. After a photo session the golden couples were taken in a procession to the hall. They were seated in tables at random. Genealogist Michael Lobo, who had family details of all the golden couples on his fingertips, introduced the individual couples to the audience. Justice Michael Saldana, President of CASK, handed over mementos to the couple. Bishop Rt Rev Aloysius Paul D Souza personally greeted the couples before blessing them in masse in Latin.
The entire event was given a traditional touch with band, traditional dance and enactment of the traditional “roce” ceremony, to flood the couple with the memories of their wedding days. Vovyo – the traditional songs sung at the time of roce were sung and there was a fisherwomen dance that entertained the audience.
The highlight of the event was music by Frank Lobo and Party which gave a soothing and melodious music befitting the occasion. English and Konkani songs, based on the preferences of the golden couple were played on the occasion. The final touch to the grand even was provided when 3 jubilarians came to the stage and sang songs. One of them sang an apt number “You are my sunshine” which no doubt was aimed at proclaiming his love to his partner openly.
It was on the whole a gleeful and memorable event. The older generation has set a precedent for the present generation by leading an exemplary life. One aspect that can be deduced from the lives of these golden couple is that “marriages may be made in heaven but we have to live them in this part of the world”. The golden couples have shown the way.
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