At 81 years old, most people might be content with reflecting on a life well-lived, surrounded by memories and the occasional visit from family. But for former IPS officer SR Darapuri, life had other plans. Following the passing of his first wife in 2022, the retired officer from Indiranagar, Lucknow, made headlines by tying the knot for a second time on August 8, 2024. His decision to remarry has sparked widespread discussion, as many grapple with the idea of an octogenarian finding love again, especially with a woman half his age.
A Second Chance at Companionship
Darapuri’s new wife, Lakshmi, is an Anganwadi worker from Lakhimpur. She has faced her own share of challenges, being divorced and living independently. The connection between the two was not born out of chance, but rather the careful consideration and loving intervention of Darapuri’s younger daughter-in-law, Gayatri.
Gayatri, who works for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), had seen firsthand the struggles her father-in-law faced after losing his wife. Darapuri, a father of two sons, Vaidya and Rahul, and a daughter, Sulchana, had never been entirely alone, but the impending departure of his younger son and daughter to abroad left him in a vulnerable position. As a man who had devoted much of his life to activism and fighting for the rights of the underprivileged, he now found himself battling Parkinson’s disease with an uncertain future.
It was during a trip to Punjab that the idea of remarriage began to take shape, unbeknownst to Darapuri. Gayatri, concerned for her father-in-law’s well-being, reached out to Lakshmi, whom she had come to know through their work on an ICDS project. Recognizing Lakshmi’s own need for companionship, Gayatri proposed the idea of marriage. But Lakshmi, wanting to make an informed decision, insisted on speaking with Darapuri first.
When Darapuri returned, Gayatri shared her idea with him, encouraging him to at least meet Lakshmi and have a conversation. Initially hesitant, Darapuri agreed, and the two spent nearly three hours discussing their lives, hopes, and fears. As a seasoned police officer, Darapuri had a keen sense of judgment, and by the end of their conversation, he felt he could trust Lakshmi and be comfortable with her.
Navigating Family Dissent
Despite the happiness that Darapuri and Lakshmi found in each other, their union has not been without its challenges. Darapuri’s decision to remarry was met with mixed reactions within his family. While one of his sons and his daughter have been supportive, the rest of his children have expressed reservations about the marriage. Lakshmi, too, faced similar dissent within her own family of eight siblings. However, both Darapuri and Lakshmi remain hopeful that with time, their families will come to accept their decision and be happy for them.
The couple chose to marry in a simple ceremony at Budh Vihar, followed by a reception where they formally announced their nuptials to friends and extended family. They have already registered their marriage, solidifying their commitment to each other.
Darapuri, who has fought in multiple elections and has been a staunch advocate for the rights of Scheduled Castes, sees his new marriage as a source of strength. With Lakshmi by his side, he hopes to continue his activism, despite the physical limitations imposed by his illness. “Like anybody else, I also don’t want to be alone, especially at this age,” Darapuri said. “Yet, it never crossed my mind to get married again. But after talking to Lakshmi, I realized I could trust her, and she would be a good companion.”
As they embark on this new chapter of their lives, Darapuri and Lakshmi are a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to seek out happiness, and that love can be found in the most unexpected places.
