Рет қаралды 54,655
(17 Feb 1996) English/Hindi/Nat
Physical disability has long ceased to be a handicap for many enterprising disabled men and women.
But leading financially independent lives does not guarantee social acceptance and marriage is still one thing that eludes the lives of many disabled in India.
But change is in the air, with a special marriage bureau in Bombay working hard at match-making among handicapped people.
26 year old Sonali works for a local newspaper in Bombay. Afflicted with polio since her childhood , Sonali has been looking for a husband for the last three years - without any success.
In a society where finding husbands even for able-bodied girls is an ordeal, Sonali doesn't stand much chance.
Though optimistic, Sonali has no illusions about marrying an able-bodied man - she says it doesn't work.
SOUNDBITE ( in Hindi): " There are some instances of love marriages with the handicapped. But there have been problems. The family needs to accept them as well. The boy may be very nice to her but the family might reject her as a daughter-in-law."
SUPERCAPTION: Sonali Deshmukh , Journalist
Mahendra Mane, also a polio victim, has been luckier in his search for a partner.
Running a motor repair workshop for the last five years , Mahendra has finally decided to go in for marriage.
He too doesn't want an able-bodied wife - but is hoping to find someone who can walk.
His own handicap however doesn't stop him from feeling magnanimous about his decision to marry a disabled girl.
SOUNDBITE ( in Hindi): " A normal girl can always find a good partner. But the girl I am going to marry now will perhaps never find anyone else. No one will accept her."
SUPERCAPTION : Mahendra Mane, Workshop Owner
Mahendra turned to this unique marriage bureau in Bombay, set up specially to help handicapped people find suitable partners.
With chances of the disabled finding able-bodied marriage partners slim, the bureau began as a platform for the hopefuls to interact.
Named "Life Partner ", this marriage centre registers the handicapped candidates for a small sum and organises a get-together once a year.
The organisers say nearly 300 disabled candidates register every year to find a match - with a success rate of about 25 couples.
There are some basic conditions all prospective candidates must meet. They include no mental disability, ability to have children and enough earnings to run a family.
It is a marriage of compromise, but even the disabled have their choices.
SOUNDBITE (In English): " I want someone with eyes. She will be my eyes."
SUPERCAPTION : Vox Pop
SOUNDBITE ( in Hindi ):" If she doesn't have one hand it's fine. Even someone with only one leg will do. Anyone will do."
SUPERCAPTION : Vox Pop
The bureau says the handicapped people are quick decision makers.
Obviously, matching disabilities for a lifelong bond comes easier than matching abilities.
SOUNDBITE ( in ENGLISH): " If the boy is deaf, it is preferable that he marries a deaf girl. So they can talk with each other very well. They are so happy."
SUPERCAPTION : Prabha Panse , Director, Life Partner Bureau
At this year's get-together, Swapna has traded her hearing impairment with her prospective husband's blindness - with the blessings of both families.
The success rate of such marriages is said to be fairly high - simply because compromise is the mantra for such a union.
Anil and Sulbha found each other at the annual gathering at the bureau. He can't hear and she can't speak.
They have been happily married for two years.
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