Patna, June 18: Three years ago, Mukesh had transformed himself into Manali, to realise an unfulfilled dream — marry the man he loved, Rakesh Kumar.
That dream was at last fulfilled on Sunday, as the couple exchanged wedding vows in a traditional ceremony. The wedding, between 32- year- old Manali and 42- year- old Rakesh, was solemnised at a temple on the banks of the Ganga at Simaria village near Mokama.
Kumar’s parents and other family members refused to accept Manali saying they wanted him to marry a girl. But the blushing bride couldn’t care less. “ I had been waiting for this moment forever,” she said.
“ My friends and acquaintances have supported me. My family wanted me to marry a girl. I have done exactly that, but they are still not happy,” Kumar said.
Manali had to return to her parents’ house as her in- laws refused to accept her. “ We will stay in a rented flat. If the society does not accept us, we will go somewhere else.
Manali, who was born as Mukesh Kumar in the family of a businessman, had undergone a sex- change operation in Delhi three years ago. Mukesh first met Kumar aka Hanumanji, a former ward councillor, in 1989 when they were neighbours.
Realising they did not have a future as a gay couple, Manali decided to undergo surgery.
Manali said she was more like a woman in her attitude and behaviour and even her voice was like that of a girl. “ I had always had this urge to be a woman,” she said.
Kumar is also a relieved man. “ We will spend our lives together and that is what matters. We are both happy,” he said.
—-Agencies