To continue with my shaadi theme, let me clarify at the outset that I have nothing against love marriages and I am not in league with our ‘maata-pitaa’ generation, so don’t imagine even for a single minute that I am trying to convert you into a ‘susheel ladka or ladki’. It is just that my instincts for social service have peaked at the moment and so I thought I would provide a reality check here. J

 

So coming back to our topic, if you are a person fixated on love marriages (I know quite a few of those, actually), let me ask you a simple question. Do you really think that each and every one of you will have the opportunity to meet the person of your dreams? As Madhuri Dixit says in ‘Dil to pagal hai’, ‘someone somewhere is made for you’ blah,blah… (I forget how it goes in hindi). The first time I saw the movie in college, I practically gagged with laughter. To Madhuri’s credit, only she could have mouthed such an inane dialogue with such conviction.

 

I am quite a romantic person myself, but this, I feel, is stretching romanticism a bit too far. After all, the concept of a perfect soul-mate created exclusively for you sounds good on television and print, but does it hold water in real life? Not according to me.  I do apologize to all the die-hard romantics out there, but come on people, do grow up! J.

 

Again, (sorry for sounding so cynical) if you happen to be the lucky person who does fall in love with the right person, how different do you think your marriage is going to be from other marriages, be it love or arranged? I have a lot of married friends, and from their accounts, I can safely affirm that the kind of married life you have has nothing to do with how you got married. Shaadi ke baad, everything is pretty much the same in both scenarios. All that matters then, is whether you are in a good marriage or a bad marriage.

 

So Guys, do what you feel like and are comfortable with, but be sure to de-clog yourself of false hang-ups. If you do not believe in both kinds of marriage and are happy with your situation, why then, all the great for you! But, IF you are looking out for a suitable life partner, remember- There is nothing wrong with a modern arranged marriage!