Former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, now has more time for otherserious social concerns. He raised a question in the assembly which would havetouched many hearts, especially those of women. He asked how many marriageswere annulled last year
The reply he got was alarming. Inthe past year 1189 families have opted for annulment of their marriages ofwhich orders have been passed in 1049.
“While I study the governmentgazette, the number of cases of annulment keeps increasing. I was curious toknow what is happening in Goa and why so many marriages are falling apart, areason why I raised the unstarred question,” said Kamat.
While the former Chief Ministergot how many couples had their marriages annulled, The Goan decided to help him with what he really wanted- why aremarriages breaking up.
Family counselor Suzette D Souzacame up with a pretty unpalatable reason why most marriages in Goa break down-a poor performance- hold your breath- in the kitchen!!. Yes men have filed fordivorce because their wives can’t cook. Did Digambar Kamat know that, wewonder.
Ms De Souza explained that nowwomen are very independent and want to concentrate on careers, jobs and feelthey can manage on their own and are not accepting to take any correction orare unwilling to be flexible in marriage and ever willing to walk out of amarriage a reason why the number of separations are increasing every day.
Dr Enid Miranda, Margao based psychiatristpointed out that clash of egos is a big problem why happily married then filefor divorce in Goa. The girl expects the husband to help in the cooking andshopping while the boy expects the wife to manage the house and then differencein incomes wherein the girl may earn more creates these rifts that leads todivorce.
Also psychiatrists that Goa lacksqualified counselors forcing psychiatrists to double up as counselors.
Fr. Kenneth Barretto TelesDirector of the Family Service Centre, Panaji admits of the high numbers and pointedthat the center makes an effort to teach couples how to raise a family whilethe Patriarchal Tribunal of the Diocesan Society of Goa works towards counselingto help families come back rather than get their marriages cancelled.
Ms De Souza also pointed out thata lot of men work overseas or abroad and face a lot of temptations with theirwives not around. Similarly back home the lonely wife also is susceptible totemptations outside marriage
This should be good comprehensivereport for Diggubab. He began by askingwhat’s cooking in troubled marriage sinGoa. Little did he know is that the answer lies in the kitchen and not thebedroom.
