MiD DAY brings you some heartening tales of lovebirds who broke the shackles of religion to triumph in the most sacred of all unions -- marriage
MiD DAY brings you some heartening tales of lovebirds who broke the shackles of religion to triumph in the most sacred of all unions -- marriage
'So what if she's HIV positive?'
For 41-year-old Manish Bhaskar (name changed), getting married to the love of his life, a Muslim woman, wasn't a difficult choice despite the fact that she used to work in a dance bar and was HIV positive.
u00a0"We fell in love soon after I met her and, within a few months, decided to marry her despite being aware that she was HIV positive. It's been six years and we are still going strong. We read the Quran and perform aartis in our house on a daily basis. Fortunately, my family has never had problems with our marriage," said Bhaskar.
The couple has adopted five Muslim children to complete their family. "We cannot have children of our own but we can at least adopt kids and give them a better life," he said.
Bhaskar, who works with an aviation company, feels that the Ayodhya verdict will be a source of strength to Hindu-Muslim couples across India. "I am an Indian and not a Hindu or a Muslim. This verdict has brought our communities closer. I am proud of it," he said.
-- Urvashi Seth
'Our kids are u00a0human above everything else'
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| MADE FOR EACH OTHER: Sachin Gupta with wife Shabnam |
When Shabnam (30) and Sachin Gupta (32) laid eyes on each other for the first time in a cyber cafe, they never imagined that they would decide to be together for life despite coming from different communities.
Shabnam, a Muslim, and Sachin, a Hindu, are now a satisfied couple and are in their fifth year of marriage.
Although there were protests from their families initially, they came around to the idea later. Speaking about these obstacles, Shabnam said, "Both our families questioned the marriage initially but they accepted it. My husband and I respect each other, our communities and customs."
They celebrate both Diwali and Eid and have decided to let their kids choose their faith. "They are free to decide which religion they want to follow. They are human above everything else," said Sachin.
"As far as the Ayodhya verdict is concerned, I think that the common man is not bothered. The verdict is only for politicians," said Shabnam. Sachin believes that an orphanage or a hospital should be built on the disputed site.
-- Kranti VibhuteChildren use mom's maiden nameSanjay Govind Naidu and Nigar Qureshi got married 12 years ago and share a beautiful relationship even today despite a tumultuous beginning.
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| HAPPY COUPLE: Sanjay Naidu with wife Nigar Qureshi |
Nigar's family was upset with her decision and did not speak to her for five years after her marriage. Eventually, things fell in place and both of them say they have no regrets.
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"I am very happy I married Nigar. Both of us follow our respective faiths and never fight over religious issues," said Sanjay, a Kandivali resident, who runs a computer institute.
"He is very supportive and is always there when I need him," said Nigar.
Nigar, who is an event manager, preferred not to take her husband's surname after marriage. The couple's two kids also use their mother's maiden name.
"I celebrate Holi, Diwali and other Hindu festivals and he participates in Ramzan and Eid. Our kids follow both religions as well," she said.
The couple expressed satisfaction with the Ayodhya verdict.
"Everyone has got something. I don't think that anybody will be unhappy with the decision. This is the best decision for a sensitive issue like this," Sanjay added.
-- Vedika ChaubeyWife's family accepts couple after 11 yearsFor Nasir Sheikh and Seema Dhumad (now Shaheen), the Ayodhya verdict is something they are in complete agreement with. "It is a good solution and everyone seems happy," said Nasir.
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| All's well: Nasir Sheikh with Seema Dhumad |
Their own love story was full of conflict when it began. In 1996, Nasir's uncle lived in the same colony as Shaheen's family and the duo needed only fleeting glances of each other to fall in love. "We liked each other and were together for four months when one of her relatives saw us," said Nasir, a businessman based in Santacruz. A fierce protest from Shaheen's family followed and the couple were forced to elope when her parents arranged her marriage elsewhere.
Today, 17 years later, the couple still enjoys marital bliss. Shaheen's family came around after an 11-year standoff and the couple now has four children.
"I have done my best to adjust to my husband's life and I have no regrets. I didn't regret my decision even when my family had cut me off," said Shaheen, who reads the Quran five times a day and wears a burqa. "I used to visit a temple too initially but now these things hardly matter. My husband never forced me to do anything I didn't want to," she said.
-- Vedika Chaubey'Religion is secondary'Salma Lakdawala (46), a Khoja Muslim, and Rajesh Prabhu (50), a Gaud Saraswat Brahmin, met 22 years ago at the Rotaract Club in Navi Mumbai.
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| DOWN-TO-EARTH: Rajesh Prabhu with wife Salma Lakdawala and their son at their home in Koparkhairne |
Transcending religious boundaries, the duo decided to get married on February 26, 1988. They now live at Koparkhairne with their eighteen-year-old son Anmol.
Salma, a clinical psychologist, says that they were lucky not to face staunch opposition from either of their family members when they announced that they were getting married. "My parents are down-to-earth people and, although they are very religious, they have always practiced secularism. That was a major factor in our marriage working out smoothly. They ensure that they come over for Ganpati every year and they share a wonderful relationship with my husband," said Salma.
Rajesh, a management consultant, says that his family, too, came around after the initial shock. "It is natural for parents to think about societal reactions and that is exactly what happened in my case. But love takes primacy over such issues," he said.
The couple believes that the Ayodhya issue is a "political bubble created for votes" whose time has passed.
-- Parth SatamCELEBS SAYShanti aur aman kisi bhi situation mein hona chahiye. Behalf of our team I appeal peace and harmony always. India is united.
-- Mahendra Singh Dhoni We are a peace loving country. I hope every-thing will be fine. Stay in peace.
-- Sachin Tendulkar
I think the verdict needs to be respec-ted and peace and calm needs to prevail. Politics and religion are sensitive issues. We should focus on humanity and peace.
-- Bipasha Basu
We are a mature nation ready to move ahead and not be bogged down by irrelevant conflicts. I salute the decision.
-- Preity Zinta
I don't understand the complexities of the situation. But I do know that any decision which does not incite any community into aggression is a good decision.
-- Katrina Kaif
I am proud of the Indian judiciary. Let peace and tranquility prevail.
-- Neil Nitin Mukesh
I pray that everyone accepts the decision in the correct spirit and national interest. This decision once again upholds the secular ethos of the country.
-- Adnan Sami
(As told to Subhash K Jha and Agni Pandey)
