Once upon a time—no, not in a fairy tale but in our grandparents’ photo album—marriage in India was an unshakable institution. Wasn't it a union sanctified by family, tradition, and seven solemn vows that supposedly carried you across seven lifetimes?

IT geek Suresh Bhai had to get to a restaurant in Delhi's Daryaganj area from Vasant Vihar, carrying a gift for his fiancée’s anniversary party. Filled with enthusiasm, he entered the restaurant only to find the celebration over. Suresh blamed the traffic jam, but Sheela wouldn't hear any excuses and left with her old friend Abhinav. Truly, traffic jams have given people all kinds of bittersweet experiences.

There was a time when a family’s prosperity shone in the smiles of its elders, and their presence was a cherished blessing. Today, those same elderly people—whose prayers once protected their families—often find themselves alone and neglected in the twilight of their lives. The darkness now clouding their eyes is not merely from age, but from the indifference of loved ones. In the tangled jungle of modern relationships, many seniors become homeless in their very own homes.  

When the movie ‘Bobby’ was released in 1973, it sent a spark through millions of old and young hearts alike. The film Julie gained recognition for portraying love at the age of sixteen. Stories of teenage love and romance have captivated people for centuries. Binding love to age restrictions, whether at 15 or 75, goes against nature.

Parents are not happier or more satisfied with life than childless individuals, but they do experience a greater sense of meaning in life. This finding was especially pronounced among women with low socioeconomic status.

Elders in joint families are increasingly hesitant to arrange marriages for their sons, haunted by the fear of daughters-in-law. Meanwhile, working professionals prefer staying single, opting for live-in relationships, free from marital bonds, regardless of the consequences. If a marriage lasts seven years, it is now considered successful, a far cry from the traditional ‘seven lifetimes’ commitment.