Beginning their marital journey through a traditional, family-arranged marriage, Mr Raj Kishore Rai Kalap Nath Rai, 77, and Mrs Malti Devi, 72, sailed through it on shared values more so than romance.
When the wedding proposal came from an uncle of Mrs Malti’s mother’s village in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Mr Raj was already known to her family. Mr Raj, who also hails from Uttar Pradesh, came to Singapore when he was about 10 years old.
When Mrs Malti was introduced to Mr Raj in the 1970s, she recalled having no particular reaction.
“I was only excited by the fact that the groom was working as a policeman,” she quipped.
After a few conversations between both families, the marriage was agreed upon. The couple barely knew each other before the Registration of Marriage (ROM), and they were naturally shy and reserved even on the day itself.
A temple wedding was held four weeks later, after which Mrs Malti moved in with Mr Raj and his family.
“In those days, we were brought up not to question our parents. We just agreed with whatever they said,” Mr Raj noted.
Married for 53 years, the couple said that understanding each other forms the basis of a successful marriage.
The early years were humble. Whitley Road Police Headquarters was their modest abode before Mr Raj gained his citizenship, and they moved to their first three-room flat in Upper Boon Keng.
Coming from a large family, Mrs Malti found strength in familial support as she devoted herself to raising their three children and managing the household.
After serving as a policeman, Mr Raj went on to work in the Criminal Investigation Department. With many shift duties, work often took up much of his time. He cited Mrs Malti as the backbone of the family.
Crediting his wife’s unwavering support, Mr Raj shared that their marriage stands as a testament to resilience, partnership, and a love that deepened with time.
The couple were among the 184 couples honoured at the Golden Jubilee Wedding Celebrations, an event celebrating couples who have been married for 50 years or more.
Jointly organised by the Families for Life (FFL) Council, the Registry of Marriages, and the Registry of Muslim Marriages, the celebration was held on Feb 8 at the Fairmont Hotel.
Another couple honoured was Mr Kasinathan Logasan, 81, and Mdm Manoranjitham Ramasamy, 83. Also married in the 1970s, Mr Kasinathan was a policeman in Singapore, while Mdm Manoranjitham was a nurse in Johor Bahru.
They had to weather many challenges throughout much of their marriage, especially when Mdm Manoranjitham frequently travelled between Singapore and Johor Bahru for work.
Mr Kasinathan, a Singaporean, went to Johor Bahru to seek the blessings of both families before tying the knot with Mdm Manoranjitham.
“I was so frustrated after knowing that plans were made to get me married. I am the oldest child in the family, and there were many responsibilities to shoulder,” recalled Mdm Manoranjitham.
Mr Kasinathan was diagnosed with mild dementia in 2017. Mdm Manoranjitham said that despite repeating the same words or forgetting simple things, he never fails to look out for her.
“Our love story stands as a testament to the love anchored in our hearts. My husband always bought gold for my birthdays and every wedding anniversary. Such gestures by him gladden my heart,” said Mdm Manoranjitham.
RELATED STORIES
19 Feb 2026 17:21
