Paravanadukkam: Sreeja and Anju, both residents of Mahila Mandiram, a residential facility for destitute girls and women, were joyous as they entered a new life in the presence of their loved ones. District collector K Imbasekhar who came to wish the young couples assumed the role of their guardians and performed the kanyadhan. 

Anju got married to Parappa native M Sajith while Sreeja married K Rajesh, a native of Kolathoor. Hundreds of guests, including the employees of the Mahila Mandiram attended the wedding ceremony and wished couples happy lives.

Anju and Sreeja came to stay at the Mahila Mandiram under the Women and Child Welfare Department at Paravanadukkam, four years ago, to pursue higher studies. Anju, after completing graduation, works as a receptionist at a private firm in Kasargod, while Sreeja is a second-year teacher trainee at DIET, Mayipadi. 

The grooms and their families had come to the Mahila Mandiram to meet Anju and Sreeja. The alliances were fixed when both parties liked each other. The grooms then submitted an application declaring that they were willing to get married at the Mahila Mandiram. Their applications were forwarded by the women and child welfare officer to the department directorate.

Department director Haritha V Kumar gave the permission for the marriage after conducting the necessary enquiries about the groom. Besides, Rs 1 lakh were granted to both the girls for wedding expenses. Bangles and earrings were gifted by the employees of the department and the anganwadis. Meanwhile, the current and the former employees of the Mahila Mandiram gifted them rings. The wedding outfits of the brides and the feast were sponsored by various charitable organisations. After the wedding ceremony, the employees accompanied the brides to their grooms’ homes. 

Women and child welfare district officer T Hafsath, program officer Jiji John, Mahila Mandiram superintendent T Nadeera, women protection officer PG Savitha, CDPOs K Beena, Thila, KK Bindu, Sreeja, KJ Sayanna, Preetha, Geethakumari, staff council convenor AT Shashi, children’s home superintendent Beeru, senior superintendent AP Shailasree, Mahila Mandiram matrons P Jisha, U Syamala and office assistant K Saneesha attended the wedding and ensured all the facilities.