Mangalore: Couple Weds Happily as Fire Chief Douses Flames of Protest

Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS)

Mangalore, Dec 13: True love always triumphs, at least that is what movies tell us. But one would not want to believe so, given the number of suicide cases that have rocked the region in the recent days over failed love affairs, and even cases wherin parents have cruelly punished their children. Yet, there emerge certain incidents now and then, which, with their happy endings, restore our faith in humanity.

In one such incident that occured in the city on Monday December 12, a pair of lovebirds whose union was initially opposed by the girl's parents, ended up in marriage, thanks to the wholehearted support extended by fire brigade chief Varadaraj to the young boy and girl.

23-year-old Praveen from Chennarayapatna fell in love in with 21-year-old Shobha, also from Hassan but settled in Mangalore, a year-and-a-half ago. Shobha while studying in a college in Mangalore met Praveen at a function in Karkala, where the two exchanged their cell phone numbers, and thus began their love story. Thereafter, the two met regularly in parks and malls, it is said.

After finishing college, Shobha and Praveen both got jobs in the same company in Bangalore, and shortly afterwards, started living together. This came to the notice of Praveen's parents, but they accepted Shobha and gave their consent to the marriage.

However, it was not easy to convince Shobha's parents, who opposed the marriage. But instead of opposing directly, her parents planned to appease the two and invited them home. They then told the couple that they cannot marry.

It is said that when the couple approached Bunder police for help, the girl's parents again agreed, but later locked Shobha in a room and threatened her.

Distressed and disheartened, Shobha lost all hopes of marrying Praveen and sent him an SMS stating that she would commit suicide. Alarmed at this development, Praveen approached the media. The media then took the help of fire squad chief Varadaraj who agreed to mediate between the two families and made the marriage a reality. The girl's mother, though she finally agreed, was seen shedding tears continuously at the marriage, but everyone else was happy and content.

The couple also registered their marriage officially. Praveen friends and cousins also helped him out in realizing the wedding. Varadaraj wished them a good, happy future. In the end, all was well.