Marriage occupies a special place in Indian households and most communities have special ceremonies that take place to mark the solemn occasion. The Western state of Gujarat is known for its extravaganza as well as the festivals that are celebrated with much fanfare. But a recent article published in The Times of India?is bound to leave you in splits.?
In Bollywood super hit 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun,' groom Mohnish Behl's uncle Alok Nath and the bride Renuka Shahane's mother Rima Lagoo are put in a comically awkward situation when Nath's college-days crush on her is revealed by none other than Lagoo's husband Anupam Kher. All relish this harmless disclosure with laughs and the marriage passes off smoothly.
In Surat, however, marriage plan of two youngsters was shattered after the groom's father and the bride's mother revived their young days¡¯ love and both reportedly fled. The marriage was scheduled in February second week, but the 48-year-old man and the 46-year-old woman, are nowhere to be found for 10 days now.
While the man disappeared from his house in Katargam area, the woman left her house in Navsari. It is strongly suspected that they have eloped, leaving the families in an extremely embarrassing situation. Both families have filed missing persons¡¯ report with the police, according to TOI report.
The bride and groom were preparing for their marriage for the past one year after they got engaged. They are from the same community and elders were taken in confidence before their engagement was done. However, the elopement, barely a month before the marriage has left everyone shocked.
The groom¡¯s father, Rakesh, (name changed), a textile businessman who also deals in property, went untraceable around January 10. Rakesh, who is also a member of a political party, is a native of Amreli district. He knew the bride¡¯s mother, Swati (name changed), since their young age. They were neighbours in Katargam area and were good friends too, it is reliably learnt.
¡°They knew each other since they lived in same society. Some of their close friends informed us after they eloped that they had a relationship in the past too. However, Swati got engaged with her current husband in Navsari,¡± said a relative of both the families.
Swati, whose family hails from Bhavnagar district, got married to a diamond artisan who later became a broker.
The elopement has become a point of discussion on social media and photos of the couple are being widely shared. But in the midst of all these, the planned marriage has been called off as uncertainty looms large.