Not even death could keep them apart

Parigi: They vowed to live together till last breath, and they did it. An old couple from Chellapur village breathed last on Saturday, keeping their betrothal promise. Anjilaiah (85) and Chandramma (75) died on the same day leaving the villagers in a state of shock and grief.

The couple had five sons and two daughters. Though completely dependent on agriculture, they provided good education to their children and all of them are married and settled in life. The old couple had been living in the village after their children's marriages.

Recently, Anjilaiah fell ill and was confined to bed for two months. Chandramma had been serving him carefully and attending to all his needs. On the fateful Friday night, Chandramma, the weak old woman, slipped outside their house and was severely injured.

She succumbed to wounds in the morning. It was a shock to the villagers, especially neighbours of the old couple who thought Anjilaiah would die early due to his immovable condition and health status. They brought the body of Chandramma to their home. The scene was heart-rending as the active woman was no more.

Everybody was wondering who would take care of the old bed-ridden man. According to witnesses, the old man saw the situation and might have understood what could have happened. He did not move since then, until one of the relatives found he was also no more after a couple of hours.

The double death shook the village by storm. A pall of gloom descended on the village as the couple died within a short interval of each other. Apart from their children, grandchildren, near and dear, the entire village attended the final rites of the couple, which were held on the same day in their agriculture fields. It moved the villagers that the old couple kept their marriage vows and died on the same day.