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Made in cyberspace
DEEPSHIKHA MEHTA
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The sites offer a convenient point for those who believe in arranged marriages as also love marriages, says DEEPSHIKHA MEHTA
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Photo: Mohd. Yousuf
CUPID HAS a new assistant. In fact, the new assistant threatens to take over cupid's territory, were it not for the Luddites. This silent, new intermediary is none other than the matrimonial website that has caught the fancy of generation X. The practical, career minded, `I want it all' generation is now coyly humming `I got mail'. Gone is the role of snail mail in carrying proposals, pictures and possibilities of rendezvous. Nowadays one-liners exchanged through chats on the websites determine if the chemistry is there. And all this is post exchange of janam patris and photographs. If you expect the conservatives to cry hoarse , check out the beeline that parents and grandparents are making to these matrimonial websites to find a quick-fix match for their children.
Matrimonial websites offer a convenient meeting point for those who believe in love marriages and arranged marriages - mom ki pasand. "Well, why won't parents consent?" asks Geetanjali, a Punjabi lass married to a Telugu boy. "Matchmakers have very limited information that they collect painstakingly through contacts and word of mouth. The matrimonial sites on the other hand, have hundreds of profiles. One can register one's profile by simply typing. Most of the sites register profiles for free," The local marriage broker charges hefty amounts compared to free and convenient registration on these websites.
Secrecy ensured
According to Preeti, , customer relations manager with Shaadi.com, "For ages, arranged marriages meant being displayed decked in pretty clothing; which is unacceptable to girls today. These websites are a boon for girls who can keep their identities concealed, do not have to put their photos online and can wait to reach a comfort zone with whomever they are interacting, before revealing their true selves."
Also important to today's marriageable youngsters is getting the right match sans compromise. "The qualifications have to be matched," says Prakhat a postgraduate student from OU. "I feel that those times when men used to get married to girls with lesser qualification are passé. Both boys and girls look for partners with matching qualifications to carve a successful future together." That's spoken like a true wannabe. Amit feels differently, "Qualifications are not as important as the feeling of ease in communication that should be there. Matrimonial alliances through websites are sort of arranged marriages, but unlike in arranged marriages, here you can get to know your future partner a lot better before jumping the gun." According to Manisha, a dentist in the making, "Another good point is that the registered profiles are elaborate with the expectations that the person has from his future spouse being given. You can match your personality to these requirements."
Global data
The most noticeable advantage of websites is the global accessibility of profiles. Manisha who has gained admission into an Ivy League university abroad is flooded with offers from prospective grooms in that country. According to Preeti, "Today nuclear families and small social circles require a wider reach to find a match".
"There are options for those who want to find someone in their own caste and community as well," says Varsha, a customer care executive, with Jeevansathi.com, at Hyderabad.
Fear of misuse of one's profiles and photographs , displayed online are misplaced . Every website has a team dedicated to profile verification. Similarly photos can't be downloaded from these websites and even the smallest of changes in the profile require a validity proof. These websites are now opting for ISO quality certification.
Also available on the websites is a load of other wedding related information. One finds tips on planning a wedding as also consultations with a cosmetologist, designer, dietician, clinical psychologist, cookery, grooming expert, vaastu experts and a fitness specialist. Can one ask for more?
Voicemail, videos, instant chat, astro-match, astro-sketch are the additional features pandering to the tastes of cyber age brides and grooms.
These websites reduce the possibilities of one getting married to a wild card. No wonder the youngsters are going hog, wild- webbing it for finding the one.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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