By Dr. Nanita Chopra, Contributor 
AT THE very outset I must let the cat out of
the bag...it's not cricket that is in question this time!!! It's arranged marriages in India, being fixed in the weekly matrimonial columns of India's Sunday Times newspaper.
Incidentally, who says marriages are made in Heaven? On the contrary, for over 60 per cent of Indians, they are made in these newspapers advertisements. And, without a doubt, they work like a charm....
Children's alliances
With this newsprint containing eligibility details coming in from all over India, parents today have an easier task to arrange their children's alliances.
Clearly spelt out are particulars of the prospective boy or girl: age, caste, educational background, professional qualifications and "requirements," (dowry?!!) In addition, being so IT friendly as India is known to be, networking can begin immediately with all e-mail and SMS addresses included in the advertisements.
As one would realise, in a country, rather a subcontinent such as India, tradition and family lineage are still of utmost importance. Irrespective of residing in cities or in smaller towns, but particularly in villages, conservative values prevail. Progeny are reconciled to marrying a partner of their parents choosing...this is still in most places the norm. Of course more so in the urban areas, the veto option is available but acceptance is very much the "done thing".
And so, come graduation time, parents begin the hunt. The four-page Sunday matrimonial advertisements are scrutinised, with families looking for common denominators. That is the foundation of these arranged marriages...similar caste, professionally settled, a compatible physical appearance..matching each other is vital.
The offers are enormous... Alliance invited for NRI businessman, travelled worldwide, well settled in Hong Kong...seeks girl with a bright and modern outlook...no horoscope required...
UK settled Brahmin boy, 6 ft. tall, handsome, brown eyes...seeks compatible, well-placed employed girl, no dowry required, girl should be fair-complexioned, convent educated.
Match for 1978 born, smart, good looking bachelor in renowned multinational company, belonging to a high-class family in Delhi seeks Ph.D girl, professional preferred: teacher or doctor, early marriage possible...
Suitable match for doctor settled in USA, seeks vegetarian spouse, only green card or H-1 visa-holder will be considered.
Wanted only architect, software engineer or doctor, for gorgeous, tall slim girl presently working in international fashion designing company in Mumbai...participates in PRET-A-PORTE annually, age preferably between 28-30 yrs.
Posh fivestar
hotels and dinners
Narrowing down the choices prospective families are contacted and meetings arranged over sumptuous high teas and dinners often in posh five-star hotels.
Parents, with critical eyes and unsparing interrogation, mix and match the information realising minimal differences are the foundation for any successful marriage.
All things being nearly equal, the green signal is given and pundits consulted for auspicious dates. The hurry, flurry and curry begin and soon come, the boy and girl have "begun" to fall in love, the engagement, marriage and honeymoon are all in the pipeline...Of course, the unspoken words will always remain: Marriage has to be a success...Indian society doesn't forgive.
If perchance, things don't work out...the next week's Sunday Times are always available!!!
