Through thick and thin

It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into 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

Advocate Dr. Chinmay Bhosale, also the managing partner in his own 40 year old law firm SRB Juris (now SRB OJAS), and his significant half, Anchita, trustee of the Millennium National School, are a Pune based couple whose professional success does away with the notion that an early marriage is bad for one’s career. Married for seven years, these college sweethearts have had to take tough decisions at an early age but are all the richer for it. As is their relationship. The happy picture is completed by three year-old Aarika.

As undergraduate students at Pune’s premier ILS Law college, the world was their oyster for Chinmay Bhosale and Anchita Phatak. Excellent academic records and a comfortable family background with everything worked out for them, was theirs for the taking. While Chinmay’s father had a law firm with a roaring practice, Anchita’s parents had founded a school. All that was expected of the newly engaged college sweethearts was to take over the reins in due course.

Except that ‘due course’ happened at a breakneck speed. Anchita lost her parents to an untimely road accident, and both had to rework their plans. “I was an understudy with a prominent Mumbai-based lawyer but had to shift back to Pune to be with Anchita,” reminisces Chinmay. “Due to the circumstances, marriage had to take place sooner rather than later.”

As for Anchita, she had little choice but to take the loss in her stride and work at learning how to ably administer the school. “It was a tough phase, but early responsibility taught us a lot, especially how to stay calm,” she shares.

That was just half the struggle. Just as they were settling down, Chinmay’s father took ill with meningitis. A long hospitalization forced him to greatly curtail his work and Chinmay had to take over the reins of their law firm. As the saying goes: tough times don’t last, but tough people do.

“We had little choice but to cope,” he smiles. “And despite the rough and tumble of it all, everything worked out in our favor. We learnt how to face situations, and it sharpened our judgment. People believe that early marriage isn’t a great thing in today’s ambitious world. But in our case, getting married at 25, plus being saddled with the burden of responsibility, urged us to excel.”

That’s putting it mildly. While Chinmay is a gold medalist from ILS, Anchita too made it to the roll call of honor. A specialist in white-collar crime, Chinmay is also one of the youngest doctorate holders in his field in the country today. “I wish to put my training to good use and leave a legacy of paradigm-changing work,” he expresses. “Cases that are difficult and yet set a precedent are a priority.”

As for Anchita, the transition from law to academics has been tough, but rewarding. “I enjoy my profession thoroughly today. There are so many intricate facets to the world of education and each day brings new learnings,” she says.

Most importantly, the duo is unanimous about the fact that their difficult days taught them never to take anything for granted.

Back to the beginning

As mentioned, this story was first scripted on the campus of Pune’s ILS law college. Batchmates both, they first became close in the course of a college function in their last semester at ILS. Despite being opposite personalities, their differences served to complement each other. “I am hot-tempered whereas he is the most patient man I have ever met. I am social, while, he isn’t so much. But we gelled well from the outset,” says Anchita.

On his part, Chinmay is hugely appreciative of her simplicity and sincerity. It also helped considerably that both are gratifyingly ‘old world’ in their ideas of family, marriage and togetherness.

The manTras of a marriage

• Respecting differences
• Sharing responsibilities
• Supporting each other's dreams
• Leading by example

“Overall development is extremely important. Both of us were state level basketball players and it did good things for our personality. We want her to enjoy her childhood doing all the things she loves”

- Anchita

Circle of love: Anchita and Chinmay with
their bundle of joy, little Aarika

The building blocks of a marriage

Given the similarities in background, the families were only too happy to give them their blessing and the duo were engaged shortly after college.

Post marriage, both have lived in a joint family set up with Chinmay’s parents and it has worked out well-with seemingly little trouble. “It is always said that the woman has to adjust more, but I have been so lucky with my in-laws. From the outset, both accepted me for who I am. My mother-in-law, especially, has been a big support when it comes to helping us raise our little girl,” says Anchita.

Despite the demands of their profession, the couple is particular about keeping a work-life balance. “It’s very simple. We don’t bring work home. Weekends are entirely for family and our daughter,” says Chinmay.

Quality time includes movies and home cooked meals. “Gender roles, especially, when it comes to cooking, are not adhered to in our home. For instance, I am the one who loves to cook, and enjoy conjuring up special dishes for the family,” smiles Chinmay.

Bringing up the baby

As is the case with every young couple, giving their three-year-old the best possible upbringing is the focus. “Over and above everything, we want Aarika to be happy in every situation. With luxuries or without-she must be rational and accepting of everything. And we bring her up accordingly,” says Chinmay.

Despite having had a good record academically, neither is hell-bent on pushing Aarika in the classroom. “Overall development is extremely important. Both of us were state level basketball players and it did good things for our personality. We want her to enjoy her childhood doing all the things she loves,” says Anchita.

Nevertheless, both are firm about discipline and drawing the line when required. “Luckily for us, she is a very thoughtful and rational child, who responds logically to different situations. We want to encourage this as she grows up,” says Chinmay.

Given that they have been married for seven years, what is their understanding of the institution?

“I would say that it is important for both to understand things from each other’s perspective. You may or may not agree but it is important to appreciate your partner’s point of view before you pass judgment,” says Anchita

Fights happen, but neither allows things to fester-choosing ‘seize fire’ over prolonged sulks.

“Luckily my training as a criminal lawyer helps. One of the most important things my profession has taught me is, saying the right thing at the right time-avoiding unnecessary words and knowing just when to stop,” smiles Chinmay.