| 1. Desmond, a second-generation African, travels with an EU passport. |
| 2. He developed feelings for Irom Sharmila without meeting her in person. |
| 3. Desmond discovered Irom Sharmila through the book 'Burning Bright' by Deepti Priya Mehrotra, where her hardships deeply impacted him. |
| 4. They began exchanging letters after Desmond initiated correspondence with Sharmila, sending tokens like a Radha-Krishna painting and a teddy bear. |
| 5. In February 2011, Desmond met Irom Sharmila for the first time in Imphal, on 9 March 2011 to be precise. |
| 6. An interview in The Telegraph that mentioned Sharmila's love for Coutinho caused a stir in Manipur. |
| 7. Desmond went on a 36-hour fast to secure permission to meet Irom Sharmila, enduring two days without food before being granted a visit. |
| 8. He emphasized his genuine feelings for Sharmila, stating that his care for her surpassed mere moral support. |
| 9. Desmond and Irom Sharmila tied the knot on 17 August 2017 in Kodaikanal under the Special Marriage Act, residing together in Tamil Nadu. |
| 10. Their family expanded on 12 May 2019 when Desmond became a father to twin girls, Nix Shakhi and Autumn Tara. |
