In A First, Two Inmates Of Institute Of Mental Health Set To Marry In Chennai

The wedding between the two inmates will be the first in the history of IMH established 228 years ago.  

Institute of Mental Health, Kilpauk

Source : Facebook/Institute of Mental health, Kilpauk

Chennai: Two inmates of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) who recently fell in love are set to get married on October 28. The wedding between the two inmates will be the first in the history of IMH established 228 years ago.  

According to a report on The Indian Express,  the two inmates are P Mahendran (42) and Deepa (36). Currently, Mahendran is working at a daycare centre at the campus and Deepa works at Cafe R'vive, a cafe run by the inmates of IMH and a restauranteur in Kilpauk. 

In 2016, Deepa was admitted to the institute after she was struggling to process the demise of her father and the turn of events following that at her home. Mahendran was also admitted during the same period after a bitter fight between relatives over family properties. 

A few months ago, two of them were moved from a ward to "Half Way Home", a building in the campus, housing people who are on the path to complete recovery. 

Talking to The Indian Express, Deepa said, "I was not sure when he first told me about his wish to marry me. Later, I went back home, and had to return again, when I realised that he may be that person who can make things a little more meaningful."

Meanwhile, IMH director Poorna Chandrika said, love has won despite the restrictions and curfew imposed on them. She also explained about how Deepa told her the reason why she should marry Mahendran and how she can thrive by that. 

IMH was founded by East India Company in 1794 to initially treat 20 Europeans with mental illness. IMH is the second-largest mental hospital in India.