It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into a wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage
Entrepreneurs Prajakta Natekar Gupta and Anand Gupta are bonded by a common vision that applies as much to work as it does to their married life. “A couple need to be friends before all else,” they say even as their dream project and spa Cologne makes new strides in the health and wellness segment
Cologne is not just the name of the spa they own and run. It also happens to be the name of the place where Anand first resolved to marry the pretty and intriguing girl who was part of the student exchange programme organized by their respective colleges for those pursuing German as a language. “The year was 1998. We were in Cologne, Germany; that was part of the tour amongst other places,” reminisces Anand. “I happened to like Prajakta so much that I promptly told my friend that I would end up marrying her.”
It would be several years and many milestones before the dream became a reality, but marry they did. Despite the difference in socio cultural backgrounds and parental reservations, the duo proved in deed that love, the kind that’s based on a sound understanding of each other, does triumph over odds.
Though scripted on the college campus, it wasn’t your typical campus romance. It was, instead, the kind that went from one level to the next, gradually, steadily but eventually. Prajakta Natekar was a student of Pune’s Fergusson College while Anand Gupta, a late arrival to Pune, was pursuing what was left of the academic year at MMCA, the commerce college adjacent to the Fergusson Campus. “Being part of the small group of students who had taken up German, it was inevitable that we would meet. Also, we had common friends so there were plenty of instances that brought us together. And then the trip to Germany happened, where we really interacted with each other,” narrates Prajakta. Still, it was simply a case of a rock-solid friendship-nothing more. “Both of us were busy studying and preparing for our respective careers so everything else was secondary.”
While Prajakta went on to do an MA in German, Anand completed his MBA (Finance) from the University of Cardiff, Wales, the UK.
Still, there was much to like about one another, in spite of the cultural disparity. She’s a Maharashtrian from an armed forces background while he comes from Samastipur, Bihar. “While I was brought up to get along with people from different socio cultural backgrounds, in those days there were still some fixed notions about those from Bihar,” she says.
However, to her delight, despite coming from a traditional and affluent set-up (his family owns a business in Bihar), Anand was a far cry from the stereotypical spoilt brat one would have expected. On the contrary, he was thoughtful, polite and very mindful of relationships. “All of this was a big plus for me,” says Prajakta.
On his part, Anand says he fell for her “beauty, honesty and simplicity. Unlike other girls I knew, there were no airs about her.”
So one fine day six years after they met, the question just presented itself. “There was no formal proposal as such,” says Prajakta. “We happened to be sitting on the terrace of his Pune house enjoying a cup of coffee by ourselves. It was then that we decided to marry. It seemed like the most natural and logical thing to do considering how close we were.”
Nevertheless, there were Prajakta’s parents to be convinced even though Anand’s parents were fine with the match. “I think, typically speaking, girl’s parents do tend to get protective when it comes to their daughter. My dad was very concerned as to how I would adjust in their home given that I had been brought up in a very cosmopolitan home,” says Prajakta. But she had the support of her elder brother who prevailed upon their parents to let the alliance happen.
What followed was a surprisingly delightful and unwittingly hilarious meeting between both families. “His parents came over to our place with a common friend, Mayur, in tow. Everyone gelled beautifully and the conversation seemed to flow. There was coffee and snacks, and some more conversation, still no one would pop the question. It was as if no one wanted to acknowledge the elephant in the room. What’s more, his parents would have left just like that had not Mayur and my brother taken matters in their hand and bluntly asked everyone to come to the point,” Prajakta laughs over the memory.
And so the duo were finally wed in January 2007 amidst much fanfare and revelry.
Children Anahita and AgastyaPost-marriage, Anand and Prajakta moved into his Pune home along with Anand’s younger brother and sister. “Those early years taught me a lot about adjustment and getting along with people who have a different way of doing things,” she says.
Still the fact that she had lived and worked by herself at Robert Bosch, Bengaluru equipped her for the responsibilities that came with marriage, including cooking and running a home.
Despite the multiple demands that come with managing a home and career, Anand says they were sure to give each other due space. “Respect your spouse and all that the person stands for. It isn’t necessary at all to do everything together. If you enjoy different pursuits and varying interests, you must be sure to do just that and go out with your friends,” he says.
Fights are inevitable but letting them fester is not. “In the early years, one tended to make an issue of small things. But as you go on you realize not everything needs a reaction,” says Prajakta. “The peace of the house is most important.”
And no, different socio cultural backgrounds are not such a big deal after all. “Even if you marry within the same community there are adjustments to be made. Your attitude defines everything,” she says.
Parenting is another arena of teamwork-but even here they complement each other well. With two young kids-son Agastya (seven years and five months) and daughter Anahita (three years), life is busy but happy and both parents are conscious of approaching parenthood in their own way.
“Prajakta, being the product of a fuji home is a stickler for discipline and good academic grades. I am much more relaxed that way. So we are the typical ‘good cop’ and’ bad cop’ in a way,” says Anand.
“Balance is the key to every parenting decision, “says Prajakta. “I came from a very strict home, while his was way more easy going, so we wish to adapt a golden mean.”
Respect your spouse and all that the person stands for. It isn’t necessary at all to do everything together. If you enjoy different pursuits and varying interests, you must be sure to do just that”
While both Anand and Prajakta were comfortably settled in their corporate careers, they had a shared fondness for health and wellness that translated into visiting spas each chance they got. “People these days are more stressed out than before. So spas including massages and assorted body and skin therapies are not only a fine way of unwinding but also have multiple health benefits,” shares Prajakta. Thus, even as Anand, the product of a business home, was keen to start something of his own, setting up a spa seemed a good idea.
“On a 2009 trip abroad, we had a chance to observe the finest spas in Thailand and Switzerland,” says Anand. On return, the couple charted out a plan, consulted experts and eventually took the plunge. By this time, Prajakta had also put in her papers at work, interested in looking at career options beyond the 9 am to 5 pm set-up.
On January 1, 2011 they announced the launch of their spa along with the birth of their son. Over the last seven and a half years, both Anand and Prajakta have worked night and day to take the spa from strength to strength. Starting off with their flagship branch in Koregaon Park, they have started two more in Bhosalenagar and Banner.
“From the outset we have been extremely particular about quality. There’s no compromise there,” says Anand. Prajakta even took up a course to train her own therapists in-house.
While weekends are reserved for the kids, the duo say their own quality time consists of working together. “Pursuing a common goal is an experience in itself,” rounds off Prajakta.
By Kalyani Sardesai
