KOLLAM: Wherever Shanti goes, 55-year-old Murugan will be on her shoulders. To Shanti, her husband is not a burden. He is her peace of mind and love. For 30 years, Shanti's husband Murugan has been traveling on her shoulder. Shanti walks, carrying Murugan to work, marriages, and funerals. For Shanti, who does not know that the day of love has come and gone, her husband is her life. Although her husband is on her shoulders, Shanti has never felt that he is a burden. Shanti never goes anywhere leaving Murukan alone.

When Pathanapuram Karavoor native Murugan was three and a half years old, both his legs became paralyzed due to polio. With this, life was completely under the shadow of mother LC. He was married to Shanti at the age of 21. Shanti was 17 years old at that time. At first the family objected to the marriage with a differently-abled young man, but they gave in to Shanti's insistence. Murugan's mother came to Shanti's house with a marriage proposal. When Shanti heard about Murukan, Shanti wrote in her mind, this is my destiny. After marriage, they moved from Kulathupuzha to Karavoor. With that, life became romantic. Two children were born, Saritha and Sandhya.

Both were educated. The eldest daughter's marriage is over. The second daughter lives in the Kollam Abhayam hostel and studies in Plus One. Shanti now owns a roadside food stall provided by a volunteer organization. Business is progressing, at least on a small scale. Murugan's seat is now adjacent to that shop.

Murugan, a son, and friend

Murugan is not only a husband to Shanti but also a son and friend. The two do not quarrel and are not separated even once. Murugan is like a baby to Shanti. Even when Shanti was injured in a car accident and was bitten by a snake, she did not lose concern for her husband.

When I walk with my husband on my shoulders, I don't feel heavy. And it will not be felt until death. There is only joy in traveling this way, no matter how far - Shanti

She carries me on her shoulders. I carry her in my heart. I pray to live in love and be happy like this until death - Murugan