Who are bestowed respect and recognition in society? Are they who possess uncommon virtues and extraordinary scholarship or they who possess wealth in astronomical proportions? Given the contemporary societal scenario, the answer to the above question is both kinds of people for the simple reason that giants of either kind account for a minuscule fraction in the land’s population. To digress a bit, many sections of society in the land harboured an outlook of degrading bachelors and placing married men and women on a high pedestal. That has been a major component of India’s culture, now gone brittle, barring some pockets, particularly in rural parts. According distinct status to married members of society is governed by a plethora of factors, beginning with the feature of sustaining progeny and ending with upholding the name and fame of their lineage. The elderly in society of the past with their irreconcilable views opposing inter-caste and inter-faith marriages have yielded place to their counterparts liberating themselves from the fetters of the old guard, especially the urban literati.

Narratives in ancient scripts attributed to luminaries in the world of learned sections in society provide unequivocal proof of the elderly in their respective families taking utmost care that marriages were bestowed attention to the credentials of the groom and bride with the noble intent of the newly-weds living happily for many years ahead.

Thanks to increased economic prosperity and ease of travelling to any region of the land as well as other distant countries, as well as speed of communication, the outreach of contact with eligible candidates for matrimony has just become boundless. The orthodox part of all preparations both during negotiations and the knot-tying event has mostly got hit due to various factors, including western influence, blamed as the culprit unjustifiably though. Kith and kin of the newly-weds as well as their well-wishers, who wish happy married life, have only a passive role in that wish to get fulfilled, while the onus of enduring the relationship harmoniously is on the life-partners.

Episodes of broken marriages which used to flow from the West have reportedly become fewer and fewer in the United States of America and marked by significant reduction in the median age of women to be married. Economic strength of both partners may bring them status of one kind in society, but if their relationship endures for several decades, society is sure to accord them higher status, with awe.