Salem: A cross-country love that bloomed in an Italian ship between a Belgian lady and a youth from Tamil Nadu has now ended in a happy wedding in a tribal hamlet of Kolli hills in Namakkal district.
But the State officials are yet to give their stamp of approval for the love that has breached borders. On Monday, when the couple, 30-year-old Sarah from Belgium and 28-year-old Suresh Kumar, a native of Sengarai tribal village in Kolli hills went to the famous Arapaleeswarar temple to tie the knot.
But the executive officer of the famed temple struck a sour note in the wedding tunes, refusing to allow the conduct of the marriage, as the bride is not a Hindu. "The temple official is asking us to get a certificate from the Belgian authorities. How can we get that? So, we had to hold our wedding in a small Vinayagar temple near the Kolli waterfalls. The Tamil Nadu government should help us get our marriage registered," says Suresh Kumar For Sarah wants to stay in Kolli hills and tend the lush, green farms in the Kolli hills.
Relating his love story, Suresh Kumar, who is a hotel management graduate, met his beau Sarah, about two years ago in the Italian ship where they both work. Cupid struck instantly and they decided to unite in marriage. Sarah came down to Kolli hills with her parents and brother on a tourist visa on July 17 for the wedding. “But my parents refused to attend our wedding,” says Suresh Kumar.
“Only if our marriage is registered will Sarah get the visa to stay in Kolli hills and I want the government to help us," says the anxious groom. “Sarah loves the pastoral setting of Kolli hills and she likes to do farming. We want to spend the rest of our lives in Kolli hills,” he adds.
