INDIAN MATRIMONIAL SITES: SIGN, CAUSE AND EFFECT OF CHANGE

Marriage is central to any society. It grew as a code of conduct that ensures security, social order, family and continuing of the lineage. Its practices have today evolved into the presence of Indian matrimonial sites – means of seeking and fixing matrimonial alliances using the Internet. Marriage and its aims are common to all irrespective of the religion or community – it is only the conventions and rituals that differ. However, Indian matrimonial sites can suit the purpose of all communities and religions. In fact, contemporary Indian matrimonial sites go beyond these into broader parameters of matching personalities and lives for long term commitment.

Earlier there was the astrologer, pandit, maulvi, naayan, or a matchmaking friend or relative known to both families to convey an expression of interest. There were also the professional marriage brokers and bureaus (those on the wrong side of forty can picture Shashikala in the laugh riot Biwi O Biwi), and we still see reams and reams of marriage classified ads in newspapers. Today, added to these – and sometimes at their cost – there are Indian matrimonial sites. These matrimonial sites act as the matchmakers: they have prospective partners with personal and professional details lined up. Registration is online, expression of interest a click away, and follow up more personal and individual. Most charge a fee while some, like marryinaweek.com, are as of now free.

Despite the ingress of love marriages and live in relationships, arranged marriages in India remain firmly entrenched. Parents remain in the forefront of matrimonial alliances, primarily because they want to ensure their children are “well settled”. However, even in this gradual changes are creeping in. Marryinaweek is a matrimonial app that is based on values, interests,lifestyle and Facebook profile and offers anyone free feature on the app to reach all their matches instantly.

Since the app works inside the facebook, by default prospective bride or groom take control of their activities on the app which includes expressing interest or accepting other’s expression of interest in them.
This is an app as opposed to Indian matrimonial sites and it deviates from the community, caste and religion-centric matches thrown up by, classifieds and Indian matrimonial sites.

In today’s world, compatibility depends on more than shared caste and community and young adults know their minds. In acknowledgement of these, criteria for compatibility in marriage too have changed to beyond those conventionally sought and prospective brides and grooms are more actively a part of the decision making process, making their own parameters and expressing their own aspirations either online or in person. With marriages still holding their own, we can turn a deaf ear to cynical voices of doom for the institution. Yes, conventions for them are changing to suit changing times and Indian matrimonial sites are variously the sign, the cause and the effect of this.

SPEED DATING EVENTS : 23RD JUNE, GURGAON

In Speed dating, an equal number of girls and guys meet each other for five minutes, one after another to decide who they would like to meet again. They must mark on their date card- YES if they like to meet again and No if they don’t after each meeting. Speed dating is Scientifically proven to be highly effective. The subconscious exchange of verbal and non-verbal signals, between two people kick starts a chemistry, which is either positive or negative, which help people decide whether they like someone or not, in less than 3 min.

Meet quality people

You’ll meet 12-15 high quality singles, who’re interested in marriage, something impossible to achieve in regular day to day life. We confirm a participant only if he or she is found Compatible , to the event in terms of Job status, Annual income, Education, Personal values and Refinement. The event is open to only members of ‘Marry in a week’ to ensure Proper screening.

You save time, money and emotions.

In our Event you meet 12-15 people in less than 2.5 hours. Our format is designed to ensure everyone including a shy person, talks to each of the12-15 singles, one-on-one! In order to understand the value of Speed dating for matrimonial purpose, just compare the time, emotions and money invested in meeting just one person in a traditional arrangement vis a vis with a speed dating event.

You’ll do incredibly well if you manage to meet 3-4 people every month, which means to meet 12-15 persons you need 3 to 4 months. Besides, each of these meeting requires an appointment, getting dressed, getting nervous and substantial expenses. No such things in a speed dating event.

Our privacy is protected and security

Even though you meet 12-15 singles per event, you don’t give your name or contact details to any of them. Only those who are mutually matched get each other’s contact details via the organizers,  while others get absolutely no info about you. We ensure that people arrive and leave the venue as strangers except they would get contact details of their Mutual matches from us. We guard your Privacy

 fiercely. Our events take place in 5* hotels in a private area, removed from the view of passersby or spectators. If you are a girl you could bring a guest along for moral support. After the event girls leave 10 minutes before guys to prevent unnecessary interaction outside the venue.

Rules and format

Participants are instructed to not ask each other: For a date, probing personal questions or contact details. These events have no rejections as nobody at the event knows who marked what for whom. The only way one can

 know if anyone has expressed a desire to meet him or her, is if he or she also has expressed a similar request. In theFormat Girls remain seated while guys move from table to table every 5 minutes. On the half way mark we also have a small break.

Participant Pre Requisites:

Participant must have a completed profile on ‘Marry in a week’ Matrimonial app. to become eligible.

If you are not a member, pl. click to sign up:

http://apps.facebook.com/marryinaweek

Events

Event- 1

Girls- 25-29 Yrs. : Working/ Never married singles / Attractive / Refined

Guys- 28-32 Yrs. : Top education/ Never married singles /Professionals with attractive jobs and Incomes / Successful Businessmen / Refined

Hindu / North Indian / Caste does not matter

Event- 2

Girls- 28-35 Yrs. : Professionals or Self employed/ Singles /Attractive / Refined

Guys- 32-37 Yrs.: Top education / Singles/Professionals with High status Job/Annual Income 12 Lac & above Successful Businessmen / Refined

Hindu / Region does not matter /Caste does not matter

Venue: DOUBLE TREE by Hilton ( 5* hotel), Golf Course Road, Gurgaon.

Date: 23rd June 2013.

Time: Event 1 / 1000 am-1230 pm ; Event 2  /1400 pm to 1630pm

Event Cost: 4000 Rs.

(1000 Rs off to Early Birds – first 5 bookings)

If you are interested in above events please let us know in either of the following ways:

1. Send email :contact@marryinaweek.com
2. Call us: 09910697869 or 0124 4301140 From 10 am to 08 pm.
3. Use contact form on the app or website   http://apps.facebook.com/marryinaweek or http://www.marryinaweek.com
4. Message us on our facebook page   http://www.facebook.com/marryinaweek

For more info: http://www.marryinaweek.com/speed-dating/

Send your suggestions, including ideas of new events for specific categories. :Contact@marryinaweek.com

A MOTHER’S MATRIMONIAL MUSINGS

Right now, the focus of my life is Project Bindiya.  Bindiya is my 24 year old daughter. I am totally immersed in matrimonial alliances.  I have spread the word around in my circle, spoken to a few astrologers and flaunted my Bindiya at social gatherings.  I know the word is out – yet should I also tap matrimonial sites?

Like many of my generation, I am a little wary of the internet.  I can just about do my mails and google recipes.  Bindiya created a Facebook account for me so that I can network with old friends but I hardly log in; although when I do, I enjoy discussing with old friends what next will happen to Simar or Ram and Priya.

In fact, it was one such visit to Facebook that gave me the idea of matrimonial sites.  Something called marryinaweek there caught my eye.  From what I understand, it is like a matrimonial site with the usual advantage of a larger bank of prospective matches and the convenience of availability at a click but also has more: it’s a first of its kind matrimonial app linked to Facebook and as of now it is free. I read that it takes relevant information from a Facebook profile.  Should I ask Bindiya to register?  While I have been talking about our own community, I know that I have given my daughter the education and exposure to life that I was denied and deep down in my heart I fear that merely matching community may not be enough for her.  I want her to find a soul mate in the true sense of the word.  If he has the qualities to keep her secure and happy, I may be willing to compromise on the community part.  Anyway, who knows I may be lucky that someone from our community may also be up on Facebook and will suit in other ways as well?!

Bindiya decides who can view her profile so my fears about letting pictures and details loose on the internet without privacy become unfounded.  There will be no clutter since if she does not express an interest, the profile expires in a week; and if a prospect is really interested or interesting, the response will have to be in a week, or it is lost.  As a matrimonial site with a difference, it enables prospects to see the entire person – videos, pictures, posts and details – if allowed.  And since only those with 50 or more friends will have profiles taken, I am a little relaxed by the smaller chance then of sham profiles.  I know that along with other Facebook friends she can shut me out in her privacy settings, but as mother and daughter, we’ll share something and she does rely on my maturer outlook in many things.  I am traditional enough to know that she is “paraya dhan” and once married, she will have her privacy settings that will exclude me even in life.  She introduced me to Facebook – wonder what she’ll say when I tell her I found a matrimonial app I would like to introduce her to?

MARRIAGE

Marriage is a fusion of two souls. It is a promise by two adults before god to keep on the course beating all the challenges thrown to test them. This custom derived from millions of experiments through the ages past is a binding force, second only to religion. It has been praised to be the greatest social institution. It has proved to be a balm to frustrated souls.

Contrarily, the convention has been ridiculed by many. It has been the butt of jokes from poets to humorists. Jibes and satires of all hues have been made at the expense of this universal practice. The institution of marriage has evoked diverse comments, but it has survived all. The evolutionary metamorphosis of human race has only strengthened it. The Finnish proverb rightly states –love is a flower that turns into fruit at marriage.

. Some societies prize courtship route before marriage. Good for the partakers. But even a long courtship cannot reveal a person in totality, warts and all. It needs the day-in-and-day-out facts of constant presence. Otherwise the divorce lawyers will starve to extinction. Thus,except the childhood chums of Hollywood and Bollywoood,marriage is a union of choice between two strangers most of the times.  They do it with the full knowledge of the diversities separating them as individuals. The alchemy of sacred vows changes everything. They suddenly become partners of each other’s loss and gain; grief and happiness; health and sickness. They begin to sustain each other in times of need.  It is the sanctity of the institution of marriage that accomplishes the impossible. The idea has become embedded in human psyche. It has almost become a part of the genes of mankind. Marriage separates the homo-sapiens from the lower species.

Sex is fine. It is a binding ingredient of the bliss of marriage but it is not like animals. It becomes secondary to other nuances. Companionship, love, empathy, near bonding of even the thought process comes into play post marriage within no time. It makes a person jump and say-You make me so happy that I would try the same for you for a life time.  The western societies where the convention of marriage is losing its sanctity suffer more than the eastern where it still remains traditional.

Marriage is a serious affair. The convention is blessed by God, sanctioned by law, accepted by the society and fortified by love. The reason for marriage is the entrenched desire to multiply the species. A bond of affection is the gift received. Sharing and caring is the process till death. It is a coupling of two individuals who vow “to have and hold for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish until death do them apart.” It is one institution that has gone from strength to strength. Aberrations might shake a person but the exceptions only prove the rule. From the food gathering days to the moon walking zenith of evolution the tradition of marriage has remained unwaveringly intact.