INDIA: The Rupee Knot

The advertisement in last week's issue of the New Delhi Hindustan Times was clearly designed to catch the eye of marriage-minded Indian males: MATCH FOR TALL, CONVENT-EDUCATED, LEGALLY DIVORCED 27-YEAR-OLD GIRL DRAWING FOUR-FIGURE SALARY, FOREIGN FIRM. FATHER SENIOR OFFICIAL. FAMILY RESPECTABLE AND HIGHLY CONNECTED. If the "legally divorced" line discouraged bachelor readers, they could scan hundreds of other announcements in the Times's nine columns of "matrimonial" ads. The ads discreetly avoided the subject of dowries. Yet the real nuptial knot in India—where 90% of marriages are still arranged—is not love but...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!