550 Suitors for Five

After it advertised that five of its inmates were looking for grooms, the Nari Sanrakshan Gruha, a home for destitute women in Surat, received more than 550 CVs of suitors—an average of 110 suitors for each girl. “Once they reach marriagea•ble age, we start teaching them to be good wives,” said Rupal K Shah, chairman of the Gruha. “They never had a family and now they need one. So, a strong family background is the primary criterion for any eligible groom.” He would also need to be a bachelor with a steady income and no criminal record.

After it advertised that five of its inmates were looking for grooms, the Nari Sanrakshan Gruha, a home for destitute women in Surat, received more than 550 CVs of suitors—an average of 110 suitors for each girl. “Once they reach marriagea•ble age, we start teaching them to be good wives,” said Rupal K Shah, chairman of the Gruha. “They never had a family and now they need one. So, a strong family background is the primary criterion for any eligible groom.” He would also need to be a bachelor with a steady income and no criminal record. At present, around 40 inmates stay in the home, which was started in 1957 for destitute and orphaned women of all ages. Many are victims of domestic violence and come from underprivileged sections of society. “We are almost like a family,” said Shah. “They don’t forget us even after they start living in a different set up. In fact, next week one has invited us for her godh bharai.” The chairman and her council decide on grooms after a thorough evaluation. The organisation has conducted 13 such marriages so far.

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Somudra Banerjee