NRI Man Marries His BF In A Traditional Marathi Wedding And We’re Celebrating Love

Love is a universal language of communication. It knows no race, religion, caste, creed, culture or sex. It is an overwhelming feeling of admiration and deepest care for another being. However, our society set the norms for which love is ‘normal’ and which is abnormal. For the longest time, homosexuality was considered to be a disease, an illness or a mental disorder.

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But winds of change are upon us. Many countries are now accepting and legalising gay marriages, even India is reconsidering its stand on Section 377. While we debate about that, here’s something that will cheer you up.

A California based couple, Hrishi and Vinh have become the first gay couple to get married in India. Hrishi Sathawane, a 43-year-old man born in Yavatmal, Nagpur district of Maharashtra, finished his schooling there and later studied at IIT Bombay. His partner, Vinh is of Vietnamese origin and holds a degree in liberal studies.

Hrishi came out to his parents in 1997, but it took them about 5 years to accept him for his sexuality. They went to become the first Indian parents to participate in the 2007 San Francisco LGBTQIA parade.

Hrishi and Vinh got engaged in April 2017, as per his Instagram post and got married recently. Hrishi’s family resisted his decision to get married in their native place due to the country’s legal stand as well as the society’s mindset.

However, Hrishi was determined to get married traditionally. The ceremony took place in Yavatmal itself, in the presence of Hrishi’s family, relatives and friends.

As per a report by Mumbai Mirror, the ceremony was a close-knit affair. The couple exchanged rings and garlands while Mangalashtak, which is a Hindu shlok/mantra was played online. Hrishi told Mirror,

“I prefer calling it a commitment ceremony and not marriage. For me, it’s more important that I share vows with Vinh in front of my loved ones. India always had a very liberal and inclusive culture. It was the British who laid the colonial law of Section 377 which still continues to affect LGBTQIA lives in India. Something like this should not exist.”

It is instances like these that make me hopeful of a better tomorrow for our country. Although Section 377 is under scrutiny and consideration, it is relieving to see our countrymen making progress in whatever way they can. After all, love is all you need, right?