Saraswats concerned with divorce, dowry and migration
Call for serious thought on homes for the aged
THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA
The Saraswat Samaj in Goa has expressed concern over the rising cases of divorce, dowry and their children settling abroad, leaving the community to face several problems.
This concern was expressed in the convention organised in Khandepar-Ponda on Sunday. Retired judge Avinash Lawande has also emphasized the need of homes for the aged.
Lawande inaugurated the convention of Saraswat families organised by Ponda Saraswat Samaj. Goa Saraswat Samaj president Rajendra Kakodkar, PSS president Pandarinath Bodake, secretary Sanjay Priolkar, educationist Madhav Kamat and about 200 people were present.
Speaking on current challenges before the Saraswat Samaj, Madhav Kamat lamented that divorce cases in the Saraswat community are increasing and the families are disturbed. “Most divorce cases are in Saraswat community. We have to find the reasons and we have to resolve these cases. My lawyer friends tell me that divorce cases of Saraswat are more than others,” Kamat said.
“Two decade ago, many used to ask dowry from the bride's family and poor families couldn’t afford marriage of their daughters. Today, there are cases where marriages of girls are not getting through. Has the trend of dowry come back?” he questioned.
He also lamented that children of Saraswats prefer to go to foreign countries to settle down and their parents are suffering here in Goa.
“Though there is enough money, what will the old-aged parents do when they have no support of their children? We should think about this and take measures by constructing old-age homes. Residents in the two old age homes in Ponda are increasing. There are waiting lists more than the residents. How do we tackle this problem?” he questioned.
Adv Shubhalaxmi Nayak said marriage is responsibility and everyone should know how to keep the relationship alive and strengthen it.
Lawande said the concept of old age home should be taken seriously. “Though our community is small, we are reeling with the problem of parents being abandoned. We have to work to resolve the issue,” Lawande said and added saying, “This is the time we should come together and work for the betterment for our community.”
Rajendra Kakodkar and Dr Purnima Usgaonkar also spoke on the occasion.
