Wedding bells rang at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) on Friday as Deepa and Mahendran, two interns at the century-old institute, began a new life by getting married. IMH staff, friends and family cheered as Mahendran and Deepa were married in a simple religious ceremony at the temple on campus.
Within minutes, the couple received a surprise wedding gift. Health Minister Ma Subramanian handed over appointment orders as IMH ward supervisor to Deepa and Mahendran to ensure they do not suffer financially.
It was the first time that two 228-year-old IMH inmates fell in love after treatment and got married. The couple will now have to leave the campus to start their new life: they have already found rented accommodation near the institute and their colleagues have agreed to help them establish their home.
Mahendran, 42, and Deepa, 36, first met at IMH, where they were admitted around the same time. While Deepa came to IMH after being depressed following the death of her father in 2016, Mahendran found himself in high school after feeling that there was nothing he could achieve in this world due to a family feud.
The love between Deepa and Mahendran blossomed after they were transferred to Half Way Home, where people who are half way home from treatment stay. “It was I who first broached the subject of marriage with Deepa,” says Mahendran, singing a number from Ilaiyaraja kalyana maalai kondadum penne (a woman celebrating her marriage).
It was love at first sight for Mahendran as Deepa reminded him of his mother and only later learned that his future wife was also a teacher before landing at IMH. “I never thought that I would get married in my life and that I would also get a partner here (IMH). I have no words to express my happiness,” she said.
After treatment, Mahendran was working with a daycare on campus, while Deepa is on staff at Cafe R’vive on campus. However, both will now work as ward supervisors. Subramanian, who called himself an “uninvited guest” at the wedding, said he felt very happy after reading about the couple and came to wish them luck.
When news that Mahendran and Deepa frequently met on campus, management placed restrictions on them. But eventually, the couple and their love won out.
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