By Sanyogita Karajgikar

Last year in New Jersey, some thoughtful Marathi people thought of an innovative idea, of forming a senior singles group, regardless of the reason of being single and named it “MAITRABANDH”.

Initially, all of us were skeptical as we all did not know every other person and also the goal of the group. We started meeting as a group for lunch, watching movies and picnics. 

Recently, eight of us went on a Bermuda Cruise by Royal Caribbean, and came back relaxed and happy. The main apprehension was choosing a room partner with matching wavelength and it was a big factor on everyone’s mind. The number of participants had to be an even number so that everyone could share a room. In that, it had to be an even number of women and an even number of men. We all had to pay deposits and balances on time and abide by the traveling policies of Royal Caribbean.

Ours was a group spanning over almost twenty five to thirty years age wise, plus of people with their own set ways due to single hood. In spite of this, we all behaved very well, though some teenagers of the group strayed away from time to time. We all attended wining and dining at dinner time, every day at the same table and tried to meet others at breakfast and lunch. We enjoyed various activities as per our own likings, in groups, in pairs or as a single from singles group. We attended Caribbean Music and Dance, Line Dancing, Bingo, Ribbon & Flowers, Stand Up Comedy, Ice Show, Saturday Night Live, Swimming, Jacuzzi, Ping Pong, Excursions and Shopping. It was a trip of fun and laughter for no space for bickering or judgements. 

We had embarked Liberty of the Seas as individual singles but disembarked it as singles bonded to each other as a family with no blood relations. We all noticed strong points of each other’s and also the flaws but  accepted everyone as a package and I think that was the motive behind forming the senior singles group and not the underlying motive of, “Singles always have to mingle“. 

We all enjoyed the cruise thoroughly and are already discussing the next trip. Hopefully, more people will join the next adventure with the eight super characters.