India, Sept. 15 -- Seven estranged couples on the brink of divorce chose to reconcile during a special Lok Adalat held at the Belapur Family Court on Saturday.

Of the 98 matrimonial disputes taken up during the sitting, seven couples withdrew their divorce petitions and agreed to start afresh, bringing relief to their families and children.

"In matrimonial disputes, the first option is always reconciliation. If warring spouses come together by resolving their issues through counselling, it strengthens the marital institution, which is the backbone of the family system. Small tiffs and fights are natural in every relationship, but it is not desirable to sever marital ties on the basis of normal wear and tear in spousal relationships," sa...