NAGPUR: In the ongoing marriage season, an engagement ceremony at a swank venue on the outskirts on December 29 stood a zillion miles apart as there were only two brides, and no groom. The two women, at their ‘commitment ring ceremony’, vowed to be partners over their life journey.
The ceremony between two Bengali women had all the glamour and glitz befitting such an occasion, including choreography, songs, designer dresses and feasting. Around 150 guests also took the plunge into a new relationship, just like the hearts of the two women who got formally engaged, despite raging debates about criminal liability and legal recognition of such lesbian relationship. Their love story is no less thrilling than screen thrillers, which both are fond of, apart from music, songs and singing. “It was the vibes which matched between us,” they said.
“We will file a petition for legal recognition too soon,” said one of the wannabe brides, who aims to get married by 2022-end or beginning of 2023. They both will have settled into their careers, and attained financially stability. They are now dreaming of a destination wedding at Goa or Mumbai.
One of them is a 29-year-old highly educated woman Meeta (name changed), who heads a department in a reputed city institution. She exchanged ring with her sweetheart, Paro (name changed), who belongs to West Bengal and is currently posted in Delhi. “We are two wives and don’t need a husband. Our dream is to have a home, adopt a baby, and become mothers,” said Paro, who had come to Nagpur during Diwali to meet Meeta.
After meeting at a conference through a common friend around a year ago, it was a love-at-first-sight, then two souls melting into each other over a period of time as their bond grew stronger. “I met her the first time at her father’s place. She introduced me to her family and our mutual relations started blooming,” said Paro. “Our families already knew our orientation,” she said.
The two women who identify as lesbians said they have grown emotionally through life’s experiences. Both of them suffered break-ups, apart from their struggle for acceptance with their own families and the rest of the society.
Meeta, who is based in the city, said her family took time to accept her. “Initially, they thought it was a phase and would soon pass. They also started asking me to consider proposals from men but I declined,” she said.
“Later, my family started researching about sexual orientations and learnt that it was just as natural as heterosexuality,” said the erudite woman, adding that around 500 species globally practice homosexuality without facing discrimination, unlike human beings. “My father was present at our commitment ceremony. He has accepted me, my relation, and also my partner, but still wants it to be kept under wraps for some more time,” said the woman.
Paro, who works for a multinational company, said she had opened up about her sexuality when in standard XI. “I had revealed to the society about my sexuality in 2017 as there was nothing to be ashamed about. It’s you, your life and none should interfere,” she said.
Meeta had a word of wisdom for the rest of the community. “The life of homosexual community is not easy. One must be highly educated and financially stable with a sound career path for success in such relationships, which are full of challenges,” she said.
Human rights activist Anand Chandrani, founder president of Sarathi Trust, said it was heartening to see the lesbian couple coming to fore with a bold decision.
