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Bhagyaraj, a well-known film actor and director, traveled to Canada to participate in a program.
While there, he remembered that his former school teacher lived in Canada and decided to call him.
The teacher was delighted to hear from his former student and warmly invited him to his home.
Upon visiting, the teacher mentioned that his son, Vijay, had a question for Bhagyaraj. Bhagyaraj,
smiling, said, “Sir, you’re my teacher, you could have easily answered the question.” The teacher
replied, “I’ve seen many of your films, and I know you have a unique perspective. I think you should
give it a try.” He then introduced Vijay to Bhagyaraj.

After some introductions, Vijay asked, "Uncle, I’ve noticed that in our country, arranged marriages
are common and successful. Families meet, match horoscopes, and most of the time, it leads to
marriage, with fewer divorces. But in the West, people date, fall in love, live together, and then
marry, yet there’s a 60% divorce rate. Why is that?"

Bhagyaraj thought it was a good question and told them he would ponder over it that night and
return the next morning with an answer. The following day, when he visited again, his teacher asked
if he had found an answer, to which Bhagyaraj replied, “Yes.”

Vijay was eager to hear Bhagyaraj’s thoughts. Bhagyaraj began, “Vijay, do you watch sports?" Vijay
nodded and said, "Yes, uncle. I watch tennis, soccer, and cricket." Bhagyaraj then asked, "Would you
prefer watching a match live or as a replay?" Vijay immediately answered, “Live, of course.”
Bhagyaraj smiled and said, “The answer to your question is in the response you just gave.” He
continued, “In India, marriages are like watching a match ‘live,’ while in the West, they are like
watching an ‘action replay.’

“In India, when a prospective bride and groom meet, with their families present, about 90% of the
marriage is already decided. Both the boy and the girl trust that their parents have done their
homework and found the best match for them. After this meeting, the wedding date is set. When the
couple meets on their wedding night, it’s often awkward and shy, but over time, they grow to love
each other. Soon, children are born, and the couple’s focus shifts to raising a family. They may realize
they aren’t an ideal couple, but they also understand that life isn’t ideal, and expecting a perfect
partner is unrealistic.

"In the West, however, it’s different. Marriage is usually not arranged, and families are less involved.
Dating, love, living together, and sometimes getting pregnant before marriage are common. This
doesn’t mean one approach is right or wrong, but however statistics show that over 60% of
marriages in the West end in divorce.

"So, Vijay, that’s my answer to your question," Bhagyaraj concluded with a knowing smile.