A man and a woman in their 60s, who were cured of leprosy but not accepted by their respective families, tied the knot and vowed to spend the rest of their lives as partners. Both are residents of a leprosy patient rehabilitation centre in Balasore.

While the groom Das Marandi, 63, had been a bachelor, the bride Padmavati Das, 65, had married in the past and had children as well. But after being afflicted by leprosy, Padmavati’s family left her in the leprosy centre. Even though she was cured of the disease, her family including her husband and two children did not accept her. They feared that her leprosy affliction would relapse again.

On the other hand, Das Marandi came to the leprosy centre three years back. He was admitted to the male ward and later was given a separate one-bedroom house. Even though he was cured of the disease, his family refused to take him back again.

Das Marandi said: “I proposed to her as during my stay here I realised how caring she was. Both of us decided to stay together for the rest of our lives.”

Their marriage was solemnised at a local Jagannath Temple in Balasore.