An interesting conversation about marriage....

Dear all...Few months back one of my department guy of 21 years age, belonging to a north Indian village, came to me and said 'sir, my parents have arranged for my marriage and i don't want to marry now!'...

Before i could say anything he said 'sir, they were looking for a bride for my brother and when they found a suitable girl, they also found she has a sister and they have decided to marry her to me!'...

I said 'Then tell your parents that you don't want to marry now!'.

He said he does not have the courage to do that and when i said 'Ok, then give me their telephone number, i will talk!', he said 'I will get more shouting and beating sir. They may not talk to you properly!'.

Then i told him "All the best! Enjoy!!'

After few months he took leave for self marriage and went.

Today he reported back. I asked him 'How was the marriage?'

He said 'Marriage did not take place sir!'

'why'

'Her father's brother died, and so marriage stopped for an year!'

'hmmmmmmmm...sad!'...'Did you meet her?'

'Sir, i have not seen her so far?' (!!!!!)

Hearing this i almost collapsed!

'Bloody hell!, so you went to see her first time on the stage and tie the knot!'

'yes, sir!'

'Hope you have seen her in photos?'

'Only one photo, my parents sent long ago sir!'

'Are you talking to her over phone?'

'Some times she calls me when she gets an oppurtunity and talks few words!'

'woffffffffffff! are you all in the present century or living 50 years back?'

'what to do sir, this is our culture and our relatives are very strict about it!'

'ok tell me, do you like that girl?'

'People at home have decided, and so, she has to be good only!'

We had good laughs today including that guy!!

People who think that the world has changed a lot can rethink.

1. In most of the villages and suburban areas this story still continues with both girls and boys!

2. People who lived in a particular place with all their socialisation, rituals, ceremonies, functions, life events etc with people of their own community, caste, religion...whether village or town or city or abroad...still rigidly follow these practices. They have not changed much. They are emotionally and sentimentally attached to their place, caste, religion, community, culture (definition of life and living) and ensure by any means that their children also live like them.

3. Boys are educated and told to find a job nearby saying 'We have enough property to eat and live and you need not go far away!'. Girls are educated to a level of getting a match. Some times they are allowed to work before marriage and told to resign when they start looking for match. Their view is, Let the world change, but it is not suitable for our family and culture!'

4. In some north Indian states, still boys are married off between 19 to 23 to their relative girls, before they leave the city or state for government jobs.

5. Exceptions from the above still exist, but minority, and so are not considered for any research.

peacefully yours...rams!!