Lucknow- In a heartwarming story that defies societal norms and challenges stereotypes, a courageous young man, Amit Kumar, has embarked on a journey of love that transcends physical impairment and caste boundaries.
Amidst the bustling city life of Gurgaon, Haryana, Amit found his soulmate in Vivalsi, a talented and accomplished young woman from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, who happens to be visually impaired. Their union not only symbolizes love's triumph over adversity but also stands as an inspiration for all those who believe in the power of unconditional love and acceptance.
When Pannalal Sonkar retired in 2010, he had everything in life—a good pension to survive and a house in Civil Lines, the swankiest area of Prayagraj. However, one thing had been nagging him and making him wistful—his daughter Vivalisi, who was born visually impaired. Sonkar always wondered if his daughter would get married. Vivalsi is a talented girl; not only did she top the college in High School, she also completed her 12th and BA first class.
23-year-old Vivalsi is also a talented table player and singer, having earned the status of Prabhakar (equivalent to graduation) in both disciplines. She is now enrolled for the Praveen course (equivalent to Post Graduation).
Speaking to The Mooknayak, Sonkar said that he faced a lot of hardship in finding a suitable candidate for the girl. Besides, they had one condition—the groom would have to stay with them. “We are old now; I am around 74 years of age. We need someone to take care of us and of this house after us,” says Sonkar.
When he posted the marriage proposal online, many proposals came in—almost all of them were from differently abled boys, and none were willing to abide by the condition of living at their in-laws' home in Prayagraj.
It was only Amit who agreed to their demands. Despite the fact that Amit belongs to the OBC (Other Backward Caste) community, considered relatively higher in hierarchy to the Scheduled Caste to which the girl belongs, and also has no physical or optical impairment like Vivalsi. "Amit also earns a decent living as he works in a pharmaceutical company in Gurgaon, Haryana," says Sonkar.
“The groom said that he wanted to take care of us. We were happy that we got a suitable boy who transcended all the barriers of caste, comfort, and traditions,” says Sarita Sonkar, the mother of the bride.
Finally, the wedding was held in Prayagraj on 18th February 2024 in a well-attended ceremony.
"I will get the love of a father from my father-in-law and a second mother in the form of a mother-in-law," says Amit Kumar, the groom, who rose above every odd to marry the girl. “It is me who has to spend life, not the family or friends,” says Amit when asked if his decision to marry a blind girl outside the caste was objected to by his near and dear ones.
“I saw the profile online and myself sent the proposal because I liked the girl and the family. The family is very good; they are educated, and I got immense respect from them,” added Kumar, who works at a pharmaceutical company in Gurgaon.
On agreeing to the condition of living with the in-laws—a status which is sniggeringly called 'Ghar Jamai' in India—the 31-year-old says, “I have no problem living with them. My father died a few years ago, and I will get the love of my father from my father-in-law and will get another mother in the form of a mother-in-law.”
Pannalal is highly contented with the wedding but is also hopeful that cutting-edge technology developed in Israel will be able to ease things for his 23-year-old daughter. "A spectacle has been developed in Israel, which can scan the text or object in front of it and inform about it orally. I have consulted a Doctor in Delhi, who will see if it can fit my daughter or not. The cost of the object is likely to be Rs 5 lakh,” says the hopeful father.
Sonkar complains that there is no concession for visually impaired people in buying vehicles. “If the physically challenged are entitled to concessions on vehicles by the government, why can’t the visually impaired people avail it? They are 100% physically challenged and are dependent on it to commute,” says Sonkar, who purchased a car ahead of the wedding for his daughter.
In a society riddled with stereotypes, casteism, and stigma, this wedding of a girl deprived of light shall show light to others and set an example.
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