Monday, February 13, 2012

E-Commerce India - Are marriages made in heaven?


Marriage is an important institution across the globe and the way it works in India is different and unique. Arranged marriages are a norm in this society and love marriages are an exception. We were all brought-up in the world where 'marriage broker' arranges for a marriage between two parties - bride and groom. He is a person who goes from place to place seeking information about available brides and grooms. He could find a match between suitable candidates in the capacity of the network he could build over a period of time.

In the internet age, matrimony websites have taken over the traditional 'business' of fixing a match between bride and groom. The candidates can post their profile on websites like http://bharatmatrimony.com, http://shaadi.com or http://jeevansaathi.com. Registered candidates can browse and search for their potential partners, interact with them through messages or even get access to their phone numbers to talk to them.

Now, does it matter if the bride is of Indian origin residing in USA and gets married to groom working in Australia. The reach is vast and the 'arrangement' online gives a better chance for the candidates to understand each other better. Does that mean we are moving away from the traditional 5-minute chat between girl and boy before marriage? Maybe, a change for better is always welcome.

2 comments:

  1. In a way its better when we think of time and expenses etc., But definitely we are loosing our identity by not following our customs.

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  2. Hmm... I have not heard of a marriage yet that originated through the online portals and happened without boy looking at girl (and vice-versa) in the traditional indian way :-)

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