Arrange Marriages

FIRST COMES MARRIAGE, THEN COMES LOVE By Ira Mathur, India A suitable boy is first spotted by Bharati Narvani's uncle at a wedding in New Delhi, India. Bharati then lived in Trinidad where her parents migrated some 25 years ago from the Gujarat region of India. The 21-year-old university graduate was brought up with the customs and values of India. The boy, Manoj Solanki, 29, a civil engineer, is also of Gujarati parentage. Born in Liberia and …

…for millions of women from India an arranged marriage is not a matter of choice. It is about the union of two families, in a community, in a caste, in a religion, in a province, in a country. It is what defines India's status quo which is ultimately male-dominated. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ira Mathur is an Indian-born journalist living in Trinidad. She produces television documentaries on developmental issues and writes a regular column for The Trinidad Guardian.