IAS officer conducts wedding of orphan woman
The bride, K Pandimeena, is a nursing graduate from Rettavayal village in the Sethubhavachatram block in Thanjavur district.
The bond between the official and the 22-year-old bride began three years ago when Pandimeena's father Kannaiya, and mother Selvi died one after another. Pandimeena was left with her younger sister, a disabled child, in a dilapidated house.
Dinesh Ponraj Oliver, currently the inspector general with the registration department, was the Thanjavur collector from June 2021 to May 2023. Pandimeena met him in 2022 and explained her situation.
She requested him to help her build a new house.
Moved by Pandimeena's situation, Oliver arranged for the construction of a new house for Pandimeena and her sister with an aid of around 2.4 lakh under the Prime Minister Housing scheme and 1.6 lakh under his relief fund. With an additional support of 1.5 lakh from the Lions Club, the construction of the house was completed. In Nov 2022, Oliver personally inaugurated the house. He continued supporting the sisters with various assistance even after he was transferred from the Thanjavur district.
On Sunday, Oliver conducted the wedding and bore the expenses. Social activists and members of the Lions Club also took part in the wedding.
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