Foreigners look east for a spouse

People from countries such as US, Russia are looking for soul mates with traditional Indian values on desi matrimonial sites

The old saying 'marriages are made in heaven' gave way to the mantra 'marriages are made on matrimonial sites' a long time ago.

And now, it seems, this mantra has also been adopted by foreign nationals looking for an Indian spouse in this season of love.


Russian national Zykina is looking for an Indian man even though she has never visited the country

Cameron Reeves (30, name changed) is an American looking for a traditional Indian wife and Natalia Zykina (28) from Russia is looking for an Indian husband.

For the past few months, they, like several other foreigners, have been scouring India's numerous matrimonial sites in the hope of finding that someone special by Valentine's Day.

Reeves has been living in India for the past two years and has met several Indian couples. He was drawn to matrimonial sites since, it is the only way he can meet Indian women and find a wife.

He believes that Indian women make wonderful wives. "You can't just confront a woman here, that's taboo," he said.

Zykina, on the other hand, has never been to India and lives in Slovenia. Despite that, she knows exactly what she wants in her Indian husband.

"I am looking for a serious, family-orientated, caring, responsible, honest guy. I know that most Indian men are family-orientated." Reeves and Zykina, neither have found their jeevan saathi yet.

Sonora Jha, author of the academic journal article, Looking for Love in All the White Places: A study of skin colour preference in mate-seeking on Indian matrimonial web sites, says, "In this global world, people can look for and find a spouse anywhere in the world."

So, how do Indians feel about sharing matrimonial sites with foreigners?
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Ashley Pereira, a native of Goa, has first-hand experience of being married to a foreigner. His marriage to a Russian woman ended after only a year-and-a-half together.

Now, he is looking for a traditional Indian wife. "You may like a person when you talk to them online, but when it comes to living with them, it can be a problem.

Foreigners have not experienced our culture and Indians have not experienced theirs, which are worlds apart," he said.

Pereira also cautioned about being contacted by western women who could actually beu00a0 cheats with fake accounts.