To Happy Beginnings

“I am divorced,and once you are separated,life becomes tough. Finding a partner becomes a task,and although there are a lot of websites with lot of posts,it is hard to enter into a relationship all over again,” tells Gulati. It was during this exercise of searching a match for himself that it struck him – why not help people like him too? “Natubhai’s NGO brings everyone together – single,separated,widowed,45 years old and plus. All one has to do is pay Rs 10,000 and get in. Now,it works in Ahmedabad,but in cities like Delhi and Chandigarh,where there are clear class divides and live-in relationships are not talked about,the scenario changes.”

So,Gulati,to make things simpler,under Ved Varsha Foundation,a non profit organisation,is now making members,people who are single,separated,divorced,widowed and above a certain age. “In our organisation,everything is streamlined and crosschecked. We ask for divorce decree,for death certificats,for identity proofs,janam patris etc and screen the same. Then once these applications are filtered,the chosen ones are called for a meeting to check compatibility and they take it from there.”

To cement the process further,Gulati has on board a team of volunteers including an astrologer,counsellor and advocate to help the members. “Our legal help is Ankur Malik,our astrologer is Akay Kohli and we maintain the member ratio too,” assures Gulati adding how 70 per cent of daughters are interested in seeing their single parent settle or meet someone.

“The sons usually get caught in property disputes and don’t realise how lonely their parent is,” says Gulati who feels that it is family and companionship,and not material wealth that one needs and looks for in old age. “We need to understand that and help them.”

For more,google Ved Varsha Foundation.