Any matrimonial column in India makes mention of the ‘homely’ girl. This should be the most desirable community, if one were to go by the column square inches devoted to them in many newspapers. So what do people mean when they say ‘homely’?

“Most of all, families in India dread getting a daughter-in-law who will break up the home, or at least, the pattern in which the family has gone on before she got married and entered as a daughter-in-law. Maximum TV serials show vengeful women causing havoc in homes and families, (although the heroine of the serial is generally sweet and ‘homely’!) and families want to make sure they are not getting one of those ladies. That’s why they take the trouble to add the word ‘homely’” says Deepti, a young woman studying for a career in the civil services who is not uncomfortable with the ‘homely’ label.

You like him a lot. He seems to be interested in you as well but, he has never given a clear hint that he surely is. Considering that most women (irrespective of how emancipated she is) still prefer not to make the first move. And for the few exceptions who dare to make advances it might be a good idea to be pretty sure that he too is interested in you. Here are some very clear pointers.

This guy makes an initiative to communicate with you. It is immaterial how he does this. Now, if he contacts you as much or more than you get in touch with him, then rest assured that this man is surely interested in you. Men in general are not great communicators. So, if they make an effort to communicate then it is a sure sign of interest. In fact according to Rajni, “I should have known that Raghav was interested in being more than “just friends” ninety percent of the time, he would call me.”

Listening to the news and reading articles in the papers I am sometimes tempted to think that the “happily ever after” concept about marriages is a thing of the past and the examples of such marriages that we see around are exemptions to the rules. But, my absolute faith that good things like happily ever marriages can be nothing but the rule led me to research the issue.

I was talking to Mr. Shayamsundar Das, who has been very happily married to his wife of 35 years. He just couldn’t stop talking about how people in “those days” got married with the idea that it is a relationship that they are forming for life. According to him, even with most marriages being love marriages (where the couple have spent quality time getting to know each other) people still leave the possibility of “things may not work out” open.

What makes this precious gift of life worth living? Anybody I asked this question to responded with the same answer (though worded differently).

And the answer was relationships. Based on this revelation we can say that in order to lead a happy and fulfilling life one needs to be able to nurture happy and successful relationships.

Easier said than done. Especially in today’s world where, every second person you meet is a victim of stress. So, more often than not our relationships go through patches of neglect and sometimes the results are disastrous whereas at other times they can be resolved and reinvigorated.

Planning a garden wedding can be lots of fun. A garden setting offers one of the most romantic and sensual locations for celebrating your special day.

Remember to keep it simple and elegant. Below you will find suggestions on how to achieve the ultimate garden wedding of your dreams.

Use varying shades of one color accented with white or cream to create a very visual and striking combination. Use lots of delicate fabrics.