Man ties the knot at 83

Bellary, June 4 (UNI) An 83-old-man has created a sensation by marrying a woman half his age at Allipur village in this district of Karnataka.

Old age related problems and the need for a companion in his last days drove Dr R G Sharabanna, who served as the Joint Director of the Public Instruction Department, to marry 42-year-old Gangamma.

Sharabanna, who was drawing a pension of Rs 8,000, was leading a lonely life as his first wife and daughter died a few years ago, while his two sons were working in the town.

The wedding took place a day ahead of its schedule on Friday last at a math in the village as Sharabanna feared that his sons would stall it. When his sons came to stop the wedding the next day, they were disappointed to find that it was already over.

Justifying his wedding, Sharabanna said ''I need someone to take care of me in my last days. Hence I decided to marry Gangamma of Kombali village in Hadagali taluk.'' Irked by his father's behaviour, Mallikarjuna had asked him to vacate the house immediately. He had also filed a complaint with the police about his father's behaviour.

Sharabanna too had lodged a complaint with the police seeking protection from his sons.

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