When Dipnarine “Dip” and Goomatee “Anna” Sookal married at the Sangre Grande Warden’s office in October 9, 1965, they paid 24 cents for the marriage certificate and the entire ceremony didn’t cost as much as $5.
It was a far cry from the surprise lavish 50th wedding anniversary celebration thrown by the couple’s four children, Anjini Soopale, Udra Goolsair, Lynette and Shivana Sookal on October 17. Udra said: “In this day and age, you rarely get 50 years of marriage life, so this is a momentous occasion for us and we could not let it go unnoticed.”
Their parents were chauffered to their Cleaver Road, Arima, home in a black Chrysler and were greeted by the pulsating rhythms from the Tacarigua Tassa Group. Son-in-law Steve Soopale gave the welcome, neighbours such as Erwin Hope and Lloyd Ramkissoon took part in the celebration as MC and speech giver respectively.
Anna’s uncle, Hardath Motilal toasted the couple, Dip’s sister, Dana Bidaisee “bussed files” on the secret for her brother’s spryness being walnuts and Deidra and Amit Goolsair, the children of Udra and Edward Goolsai, gave touching speeches for the love they had for their grandparents.
Dr Lincoln Douglas, the former minister of Arts and Multiculturalism reenacted the wedding vows for Dip and Anna and showed his prowess with the African drums and poetry. Lalchan Samaroo serenaded guests, family, friends and neighbours with the steelpan during the sumptuous dinner.
Indar Kanhai’s songs Raat Kali, Kya Hua, Prem Kahani and Suhani Raat, and Anthony Batson’s Ranga Dhal Ke Mahanawana, Nani and Nana, Raatia and One Love had the audience dancing when the tables were cleared. It was plain to see that the love between the Sookals was genuine as they held hands, danced, and cut the anniversary wedding cake.
When 68-year-old Anna was asked about the secret of the longevity of her marriage since she took the plunge at 18 and Dip was 20, she said: “They have to put trust and commitment towards the marriage. “A marriage doesn’t just go like that, you have to take one day at a time, have trust and dedication, those are the sole things, that makes it work.
“Marriage is not a one-sided affair. You give and you take, and keep respecting one another and remain friends.” No one looking at Dip on the dance floor would believe he was 70 years old. The retired Postal Services SRP said the secret to their long marriage was dedication, commitment, and a life of spirituality.
Sookal said he followed no special diet, they adhered to certain things, and enjoyed all the events such as Christmas, Carnival, Easter, Divali and Eid.