Kochaniyan Menon and Lakshmi Ammal have an unusual love story, and one that has spanned over 20 years. The sexagenarian couple, however, found happiness and recently exchanged wedding vows at an old-age home in Thrissur, Kerala on December 28.
A year younger than Kochaniyan, Lakshmi Ammal was 16 when she first met him. It wasn't love at first sight. Kochaniyan, who hailed from Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur, worked as an assistant to her husband G.K. Krishna Iyer, a renowned chef also known as Swamy. He passed away 22 years ago, leaving Lakshmi in Kochaniyan's care, as that was his dying wish.
Lakshmi, who had no children from her marriage to Swamy, was alone. But Kochaniyan, whose work as a cook and caterer took him to many places, would visit her often, as promised, continuing to support and take care of her till about two years ago when she was moved to an old-age home run by the government in Thrissur district. Lakshmi had found a companion in Kochaniyan, who has two children from a previous marriage. They were fond of each other, but neither knew that it was a long love story in the making.
Their union was further delayed when 67-year-old Kochaniyan suffered a stroke while he was on his way from Guruvayur. Having suffered partial paralysis on the right side of his body, Kochaniyan was taken in by an old-age home in Wayanad. He slowly recovered thanks to the timely and dedicated medical assistance he received there. He expressed to the staff at the home his wish to meet Lakshmi at the Ramavarmapuram old age home in Thrissur, and arrangements were made to shift him there so that he can be with her.
Kochaniyan, who had regained partial mobility, was with Lakshmi once again and she was happy to be by his side while he recovered. They could ask nothing more from life. But to make their lives and this Christmas even sweeter, the managing committee of the old-age home where they lived decided to make arrangements for their wedding. And thus, Kochaniyan and Lakshmi Ammal became the first couple to get married in an old-age home in Kerala.
Other inmates at the old-age home are just as excited for the sexagenarian couple. Kochaniyan and Lakshmi have proved that age is just a number and it should not stop one from expressing their love and respect for one another.
Lakshmi revealed in an interview that they have accepted that this is their destiny, and are lucky to have the honour of being the first couple to have a wedding in an old-age home in Kerala. Kochaniyan, meanwhile, said that the duo would like to visit popular temples in the state soon after he regains his health. Kochaniyan has recently started to walk properly and is continuing to take his medicines.
With Kochaniyan and Lakshmi's wedding, the social justice department has received enough encouragement to help older couples in old-age homes who want to get married. They have decided to provide assistance to such couples and make the necessary arrangements for them. They will be given a couple room at the old-age home as well.
