<p>An online platform is playing matchmaker for survivors and patients of critical diseases. It is developed by an NGO and is free to access. </p>.<p>Fifty-six couples have found their life partners through Divine Relations, the matrimonial service that was started over six years ago. These individuals are in the 35-45 age group.</p>.<p>“Late marriage in their case is not out of choice. The moment they tell their prospective partners that they are undergoing treatment for a disease or they have survived a disease, they get rejected,” Vivek Sharma, who runs this initiative with his wife Sweta, says. </p>.<p><strong>Bengaluru scene</strong></p>.<p>Sharma shares a match from Bengaluru that materialised this January. Ravi suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD) while Neha has undergone a kidney transplant. Their names have been changed upon request. The couple is in their early 40s. </p>.<p>Ravi and his elder sister Sudeshna Datta slipped into depression after losing their parents to Covid-19. Post this, Ravi was diagnosed with CKD. Sharma shares, “Regular matrimonial sites did not yield much interest for Ravi because of his medical issues. A few times when Ravi recieved an interest, conversations didn’t proceed. And one time, the bride’s side called off the alliance when wedding preparations were underway.” </p>.<p>It was then that Sudeshna made a profile for her brother Ravi on Divine Relations and found Neha. Like Ravi, even Neha had given up hope of finding someone. </p>.<p>“We have 1,200 verified sign-ups on our website. Above 9% are from Karnataka, of which, close to 7% are from Bengaluru. The maximum traction comes from Maharashtra, perhaps because we are based in Mumbai,” says Sharma. </p>.<p><strong>Profile watch </strong></p>.<p>Currently, more male than female profiles are listed on the platform. Cancer survivors and kidney disease patients comprise a big chunk. “We also have a profile of a 56-year-old cancer survivor. His wife has passed away and he feels lonely,” shares Sharma. </p>.<p>Other users have thalassemia, type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, and infertility issues. People with mental health conditions and physical disabilities have also signed up. “We see matches happening between people with different ailments,” he notes. </p>.<p>The patient matrimonial service is one of the initiatives of Mickey <br>Amogh Foundation, which Sharma and Sweta have started in memory of their son. </p>.<p>“An oncologist friend told me that despite recovering from cancer, his patients struggle to get married. A week later, a nephrologist friend had the same thing to say of his patients. That got me thinking about starting such a platform,” shares Sharma, a former corporate professional. </p>.<p>To expand their matrimonial service, he wants to organise physical meetups for people suffering from various diseases. “We are looking for volunteers in different cities to host these meetups,” he says. </p>.<p>For details, visit <em>divinerelations.in</em></p>
<p>An online platform is playing matchmaker for survivors and patients of critical diseases. It is developed by an NGO and is free to access. </p>.<p>Fifty-six couples have found their life partners through Divine Relations, the matrimonial service that was started over six years ago. These individuals are in the 35-45 age group.</p>.<p>“Late marriage in their case is not out of choice. The moment they tell their prospective partners that they are undergoing treatment for a disease or they have survived a disease, they get rejected,” Vivek Sharma, who runs this initiative with his wife Sweta, says. </p>.<p><strong>Bengaluru scene</strong></p>.<p>Sharma shares a match from Bengaluru that materialised this January. Ravi suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD) while Neha has undergone a kidney transplant. Their names have been changed upon request. The couple is in their early 40s. </p>.<p>Ravi and his elder sister Sudeshna Datta slipped into depression after losing their parents to Covid-19. Post this, Ravi was diagnosed with CKD. Sharma shares, “Regular matrimonial sites did not yield much interest for Ravi because of his medical issues. A few times when Ravi recieved an interest, conversations didn’t proceed. And one time, the bride’s side called off the alliance when wedding preparations were underway.” </p>.<p>It was then that Sudeshna made a profile for her brother Ravi on Divine Relations and found Neha. Like Ravi, even Neha had given up hope of finding someone. </p>.<p>“We have 1,200 verified sign-ups on our website. Above 9% are from Karnataka, of which, close to 7% are from Bengaluru. The maximum traction comes from Maharashtra, perhaps because we are based in Mumbai,” says Sharma. </p>.<p><strong>Profile watch </strong></p>.<p>Currently, more male than female profiles are listed on the platform. Cancer survivors and kidney disease patients comprise a big chunk. “We also have a profile of a 56-year-old cancer survivor. His wife has passed away and he feels lonely,” shares Sharma. </p>.<p>Other users have thalassemia, type-1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, and infertility issues. People with mental health conditions and physical disabilities have also signed up. “We see matches happening between people with different ailments,” he notes. </p>.<p>The patient matrimonial service is one of the initiatives of Mickey <br>Amogh Foundation, which Sharma and Sweta have started in memory of their son. </p>.<p>“An oncologist friend told me that despite recovering from cancer, his patients struggle to get married. A week later, a nephrologist friend had the same thing to say of his patients. That got me thinking about starting such a platform,” shares Sharma, a former corporate professional. </p>.<p>To expand their matrimonial service, he wants to organise physical meetups for people suffering from various diseases. “We are looking for volunteers in different cities to host these meetups,” he says. </p>.<p>For details, visit <em>divinerelations.in</em></p>