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2 States: He's from Gurgaon; she's from Tamil Nadu

May 11, 2014 14:33 IST
Dr RK Puri and his wife Vijaya

We asked you, our dear readers, to share your 2 States stories. Dr Vijaya Puri (nee Krishnamurti) narrates the story of her marriage that took place way back in 1984.

Dr Puri writes:

Attitudes towards cross cultural marriages are more relaxed these days.

It wasn't the case when we got married... in 1984.

My husband Dr RK Puri is a Punjabi from Gurgaon and I am a Tamilian from Chidambaram in south India.

We met at the University of Pune while doing working on our doctoral theses between 1977 and 1982.

Back then many south Indians were afraid to marry into north Indian families because of the many bride burning incidences prevalent in there.

Since my parents had passed away in 1975, I was trying to convince my various uncles and aunts and sister about the suitability of my husband as partner for me without much success.

We decided we will wait till his parents agreed.

With lots of patience and after much persuasion they finally gave us their blessings.

It will be 30 years since our marriage and we have two wonderful children.

Taking such a decision 30 years ago is indeed worth sharing with others.

I have not learnt Punjabi and my husband hasn't learnt Tamil.

Our common language is Hindi and English and also Marathi.

My husband recently retired as professor and I am still working as Professor in Physics.

We have settled in Kolhapur in Maharashtra.

Our daughter has recently married a Maharashtrian.

In a true sense we call ourselves Indians.

ALSO READ More heartwarming stories like this one!


Are you a north Indian who's married a south Indian or vice versa?

How did you two meet?

How did your families react?

Was there enough drama for a Bollywood movie or a bestselling book? :-)

Tell us!

Email us the stories of your inter-cultural marriage!

Write to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line: 'My 2 States story') along with a picture of you and your spouse, and we will publish the best stories right here on Rediff.com!