Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
 To have and to hold

 To have and to hold

The Hindu
Thursday, April 24, 2025 7:07 PM GMT

Happy Seniors program helps single seniors find companionship and love through marriage or live-in relationships after 60.

Fifty-seven senior citizens have gathered in Satvik Valley Resort, Loni Kalbhor village, about 25 kilometres from Pune. Tourists mostly come here to visit the ancient Ramdara temple, built on a hill, where Hindus believe Rama and Lakshmana visited during their exile. But this is not a religious gathering. Nor is it a bunch of fitness enthusiasts, who come during the monsoon to trek up through the greenery. These are single people, here to meet each other for marriage, or a live-in relationship, or a long-term commitment, as they live out life after 60.  

Arvind Karmarkar, 64, who works as a consultant export enabler, chortles as he says, “I hope to find my Sita soon.” He has been looking for a partner to share his life with since 2021. “I got divorced in 2011, due to differences in ideology. Since then, I have been a single parent to our only daughter,” he says. In 2021 Karmarkar’s daughter moved to the U.S., and he began feeling lonely. “There has not been anyone to talk to even about the basic things in life or share a few laughs with while watching a movie or reading a book. I hope I meet someone likeminded soon.” 

Pune-based Madhav Damle Foundation, which works towards women and child development, runs Happy Seniors, a matchmaking programme for those over 60. They conduct meet-ups every fortnight, and claim to have helped 90 couples find companionship, over the last 14 years. Of these 14 have chosen to be in live-in relationships and the rest have married. 

It’s about 5 p.m., as the attendees slowly gather, chairs are arranged, but interaction is not easy; many seem reticent and women and men occupy opposite ends of the seating area. A few women are wearing high heels and make-up, ready for a party. It takes one woman to say, “Let’s play some music and dance.” The Happy Seniors team plays a Marathi song, and a few women get up to dance; some men join in.

One of the women, finds a puppy and starts to play with it and sing to the music sitting on her chair. Watching her from across, a man, holding another puppy, approaches her and they slowly exchange laughs and play with the pups. As the ice breaks, a circle is formed and most have started dancing the garba. Beverages and snacks start rolling in as the evening progresses. 

In Maharashtra, single seniors, often lonely when they lose family members, are looking at a life of companionship in the years they have left, despite various challenges. The World Health Organization has put life expectancy in India at 69 years for women and 65.8 years for men.

Helping find companionship  

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Pakistan politicians, others ask govt to review Trump's nomination for Nobel Peace Prize

Pakistani politicians criticize government's decision to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize after US attacks on Iran.

Shahapur drinking water project to be inaugurated by Karnataka CM in August

The project, which comprised laying a pipeline of 18 kilometres stretching from the Bhima river to a filter bed located in the city, has been estimated at ₹ 70 crore.

Nilambur bypoll: UDF workers begin celebrations as Aryadan Shoukath’s lead crosses 5,000-mark

UDF celebrates as candidate Aryadan Shoukath leads by 5,620 votes in Nilambur bypoll in Kerala.

Pakistani actor Hania Aamir joins Diljit Dosanjh in trailer for ‘Sardaar Ji 3’

Pakistani actor Hania Aamir joins Diljit Dosanjh in Punjabi horror-comedy Sardaar Ji 3, set for overseas release on June 27.

U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites mark perilous turn in Middle East, says Antonio Guterres

U.N. Chief warns of perilous turn in Middle East after U.S. bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities.

Rare cancer surgery saves child in Belagavi

A team of surgeons led by Paediatric Haematologist Oncologist S. Abhilasha successfully conducted a bone marrow transplant on the patient who was suffering from congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT), a genetic defect. The girl had lost her brother to the same condition.

Woman kills daughter, ends life after husband transfers land to relative in Karnataka

She was upset that her husband had transferred the land without informing her.

Nilambur Assembly by-election: UDF takes early lead

UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath leads by 1,725 votes in Nilambur Assembly byelection, with no clear sweep expected.

Haveri to get 8,794-tonne cold storage to serve needs of farmers, work launched by Karnataka Minister

Minister for Agricultural Marketing Shivanand Patil expects the Ranebennur Agricultural Produce Market to emerge as the third biggest in Karnataka, after Mysuru and Hubballi.

SoftBank founder pitches $1 trillion U.S. AI hub to TSMC and Trump team: Report

SoftBank Group Corp founder Masayoshi Son is seeking to team up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co for a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona.

Commuters have a harrowing time at Ernakulam Junction railway station as redevelopment works hit a dead end

Ernakulam Junction railway station redevelopment project faces delays, causing inconvenience to commuters, prompting calls for urgent action.

How will foreign universities impact higher education? | Explained Premium

Foreign universities setting up branch campuses in India to attract students and diversify revenue sources amid global challenges.

Russian drone attack on Kyiv injures five, sparks fires, Ukraine says

Russian drone attack in Kyiv injures civilians, damages metro station entrance, and sparks fires in residential areas.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Pakistan to hold National Security Committee meeting after U.S. strikes on Iran

Pakistan's top security body to discuss regional situation after U.S. airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in emergency meeting.

Tirupparankundram row: Madras High Court dismisses H. Raja’s plea against police notice summoning him for inquiry

Tirupparankundram row: Madras High Court dismisses H. Raja’s plea against police notice summoning him for inquiry

Indore-Bhubaneswar IndiGo flight delayed due to technical snag

IndiGo flight from Indore to Bhubaneswar delayed due to minor technical snag, passengers not de-boarded during repair.

Don't politicise anti-Naxal operations; conduct them in transparent manner: Congress leader Sachin Pilot

Sachin Pilot emphasizes transparent, non-politicized anti-Naxal operations during Chhattisgarh visit, focusing on security and party organization.

Nilambur bypoll: P.V. Anvar factor cannot be ignored, says KPCC president Sunny Joseph

KPCC president Sunny Joseph predicts UDF victory in Nilambur, citing P.V. Anvar factor and growing anti-government sentiment.

OpenAI and ex-Apple iPhone designer Jony Ive deal hit by a trademark dispute

OpenAI has taken down details about IO, the hardware collaboration it made with ex-Apple iPhone designer Jony Ive, over a trademark dispute.

Nilambur result crucial for LDF, UDF ahead of upcoming polls  

Nilambur Assembly by-election outcome crucial for ruling front and Opposition narratives ahead of 2025 and 2026 elections.

Odisha plans to ease forest, wildlife restrictions to boost tourism; experts call it dangerous

Odisha plans to amend ESZ notifications to allow construction and commercial activities, risking ecological protection and tribal rights.

Jaideep Ahlawat joins Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘King’, says SRK personally reached out for the role

Actor Jaideep Ahlawat joins Shah Rukh Khan in action-thriller King, sharing insights on his role and working with Khan.

Jeethu Joseph confirms talks for simultaneous release of ‘Drishyam 3’ in Malayalam, Hindi, and Telugu

Director Jeethu Joseph plans to release Drishyam 3 in Malayalam, Hindi, and Telugu simultaneously, starring Mohanlal, with filming starting in October.

Samajwadi Party expels three MLAs for ‘anti-party’ stance, ideological deviation

Samajwadi Party expels three MLAs for supporting ideologies against party values, warns of permanent expulsion for dissent.

Fire breaks out on ‘Anupamaa’ TV serial set in Mumbai’s Film City; no casualty reported

Fire breaks out on 'Anupamaa' set in Mumbai's Film City, no casualties reported, fire-fighting underway.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us