Karam and Katari Chand are already the UK’s longest married couple but now they are going for the title of the longest married couple in the world!

Relationships on Female First

Relationships on Female First

They’ve been married for an incredible 87 years so we were excited to find out just how they do it! Here’s the Zoosk interview.

How did you meet?

We met on the day of our wedding. The wedding took place in Punjab in India. It was a beautiful Wedding.

How long have you been together?

We have been married 87 years. And we hope to be married for another 87 years. We love each other very much.

What is the secret to a long lasting relationship? What are your 5 top tips to keep the romance alive throughout a relationship?

• Always be faithful: always be faithful to one another. When you get married you commit to devoting your life to that person and even when the times are tough, don’t believe that the grass is greener...because it isn’t.

• Look after each other as best you can: if you want to grow old with your partner you have to make sure you always look after each other in every shape and form. Whether it is making a meal, holding your partners hand when crossing the road or being a shoulder to cry on when something goes wrong.

• Be tolerant of each other: everyone has bad habits or annoying traits. Whether it is leaving a towel on the floor or listening to the radio too loudly, you have to tolerate each other and realise that no one is perfect. Of course we irritate each other occasionally, but if you want to last nearly 90 years, learn to love bad habits or it won’t work.

• Listen to each other: the most important thing in a relationship is to listen. People don’t listen anymore because they are too busy with work and TV. Listen to your loved ones’ problems and concerns every day, because then you can help them overcome them and be happier. Also, it brings you closer together because you are the first port of call for each other when there is an issue in your life.

• Follow social and religious values: always make sure you follow social or religious values. Respect, care, cherish, love and value your partner – always treat them how you would want to be treated yourself.

What little things do you do for each other to keep the romance alive?

Katari – when I was young I used to make him a nice fresh meal every night. We are vegetarian so I brought lots of fresh vegetables and made sure he was eating healthy food. Health is very important and I wanted to look after him so we could grow old together. Some would say it has worked! Oh and how can I forget, I always save a bit of my chapatti for him. Just a little gesture that he appreciated a lot...and it kept me a bit slimmer.

Karam – my trick is to make Katari laugh. I like to tell jokes and make her smile. Being funny is my way of being romantic. I have been told laughing makes you live longer... my wife is still alive so it must have worked! I love her so much and I want to spend another 80 years by her side.

Have you spent any time apart over the last decade?

We have not spent any long span apart in over 50 years. We go everywhere together – up until a few years ago we went to India every year with the family and for all family weddings we make sure we get to stay together.

Do you think romance has changed over the last 50 years?

In the past people used to listen. Now I don’t think people take the time to listen to each other properly. People seem too busy today with work, TV and other stuff going on around them. Relationships are about understanding one another and listening to concerns and problems, so my advice to men and women is to listen to their partners, show interest in what they are saying and help them overcome any worries or problems they are going through.

We’re not the only ones fascinated by this incredible couple, their son Satpaul is also in awe of their love. He said, “One piece of advice that I can’t stress enough is to keep your parents very close. We live with them in Bradford and look after them because we want to help them live as long as they can together. I don’t want to see their love story end.

“I truly believe that by helping them over the last few years we have enabled them to enjoy their time together with no stress and being looked after. Also, you have to value them while they are here because you never know how long they are going to be around for.”

Karam and Katari don’t let their age get in the way of their lives, this year they’ll be having a big party to celebrate Karam’s 107th birthday and Katari’s 100th birthday!

Up until last year, the couple who have 8 children and 28 grandchildren used to visit their Indian homeland every year to visit friends and family.

Karam also admits he likes the occasional cigarette and alcoholic beverage and does word puzzles every day to keep his mind alive.

If you want to create a long lasting relationship like Karam and Katari’s then visit Zoosk.co.uk. Zoosk is the romantic social network that provides members at different stages of their romantic journey with a fun and social set of tools such as Romantic Moments, Couple Profiles, and the Personals application.

Zoosk is the first social network to provide a home for sharing the milestones of your romantic journey on a joint couple profile. Join free, invite your partner to your joint profile and you’ll be able to share photos from your first vacation, anniversary dinner or engagement party and let your mutual friends ‘like’ and comment on them.

You can also watch your coupled friends post their romantic moments on the Couple Timeline and play along with the Couples Leaderboard, to see which couple in your network is the most romantic! And, to help you with your romantic journey, Zoosk even reminds you of your anniversary to keep your romantic journey on track.

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