The appellant, the husband filed H.M.O.P. No. 112 of 1996 before the Principal Subordinate Judge, Erode against the respondent for divorce on the ground of desertion. They were married on 28-5-1964. The respondent was related to the appellant and a few years older than him. Two children were born, a male by name Rejendran in 1968 and a female by name Padmavathy in 1974. According to the appellant he was in a transferable job. His parents as well as the respondent disliked the fact that he was constantly moving from one place to another and wanted him to resign his job and settle down in his native village. The appellant refused to do so. In 1979 when he was posted in Erode he allowed the respondent and his children to stay with his parents in the village. According to the appellant, the respondent used to dominate him and because she was uncultured she felt isolated from her neighbours who were cultured and educated. She was encouraged in her conduct by the appellant's parents. His requests to the respondent to join him were in vain and she would threaten the appellant that if he forced her to live with him she would commit suicide. In August, 1984, when he requested he