Anubandh Foundation hosts senior matchmaking event in Bengaluru

On June 6, the Anubandh Foundation hosted its fourth senior citizens' matchmaking event in Bengaluru, bringing together elderly widows, widowers, and divorcees seeking companionship and emotional connection. The gathering aimed to address loneliness and emotional isolation among older adults, helping them find care and support in the later stages of life.

For many participants, the event was about finding an emotional connection and another person to share everyday life with after years of living in isolation or within shrinking family circles. While some attendees arrived alone, others were accompanied by their children, relatives, or close friends.

The matchmaking initiative is the brainchild of Natubhai Patel, the president of the Anubandh Foundation. Patel started the initiative after witnessing the devastating impact of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in Kutch district, where he was serving as a superintendent with the Union Ministry of Planning. After the hotel he was staying in collapsed, he met numerous people who had lost their spouses and were left entirely alone.

Since its inception in 2002, the foundation has worked across India to help senior citizens find companionship. It currently maintains a database of over 12,000 individuals and has facilitated 225 marriages. According to Patel, inquiries from elderly individuals increased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many older adults isolated after losing their partners.

Among the participants was Padmashree, a 53-year-old divorcee from Karnataka, who represented those who spent years balancing parental responsibilities while searching for companionship. Another attendee, Rao, shared that finding a partner restores a sense of shared living, giving added meaning to routine moments such as daily walks and conversations.

Many attendees expressed a clear preference for in-person matchmaking over digital platforms. Participants cited concerns regarding authenticity, incomplete information, and a lack of transparency in online dating systems. They noted that face-to-face meetings allowed them to directly assess personality, behaviour, and compatibility.