Comfort, Conversation & Connections

Corporate trainer Ketan Dossa & his significant half Rishika, an entrepreneur and designer by profession, believe that friendship and comfort are non-negotiables in a marriage. That and a shared overriding passion-in this case, their love for dogs and cats.

A typical day for both Rishika and Ketan would begin with a shared cuppa chai and a cuddle with their two dogs and cat. Given the sheer confidence with which the four-footed ones stride around the house, it’s hard to believe that all three pets were rescues. But love has a way of bringing each one’s joyful spirit to the fore. Amongst other things, an abiding love for animals and bettering conditions for them is what unites the couple.

Busy, they both are, with their respective work profiles-he’s a corporate trainer travelling around the country while she’s literally fixing the nuts and bolts on her latest venture Firefly, a ready to wear jewelry collection along with handblocked clothing for young women and girls who like fun, contemporary and affordable stuff. “I have always had an eye for fashion and what looks good,” says the young woman who has also had her own design label “Couture” amongst other ventures-a café and a dance academy. “But given my passion for designing and textile, I particularly want to promote hand block clothing, which is an art on the verge of dying. In an increasingly mechanized world, I want to support this craftsmanship,” she says.

And though like Ketan, she has been a part of the corporate world as an HR professional in the past, it is in the arts that her passions have always stayed firm. “I have always been good at making things by hand and putting up my wares in exhibits and fetes. The buzz of making a sale and connecting with people through the things I have made has always appealed to me,” she smiles. “In fact, I never whiled away time as a teenager; I was always thinking of new business ideas to bring to life.” She has also been a stylist and modelled for several brands given her innate grace and charm.

As for Ketan, his love of people and communication has had him run their own events company-Masala Dossa Productions. In fact, he’s quite a known face in Pune’s nightlife and entertainment industry given that he’s also been a well-known host. But given the demands of managing varying interests, he eventually chose to focus on his core passion, namely training. Presently, he heads design & strategy for a corporate training consultancy.

Life is rather busy these days, especially in the aftermath of Covid when everyone’s trying to get back to work and business. “Earlier on we were both a part of the nightlife and entertainment industry what with my hosting and her running a café at a popular lounge and despite the late nights, we were always together. These days its tougher because our timings literally don’t match,” says Ketan. No sweat, though. They’ve been together 17 years and married for 15 of them. “There is a comfort factor that comes in only with longstanding friendship. And friends is what we have always been to each other-well before becoming husband and wife,” shares Ketan.

BACK TO THE BEGINNING

This love story was first scripted in the plush office of the WNS BPO way back in 2004. They met as work colleagues, but the chemistry was palpable from the word go. “He has a way with words that makes it very easy to talk to him. We could pretty much talk about anything under the sun and that was a very important contributory factor to cementing our relationship,” reminisces Rishika.

On his part, he found her beautiful, charming and full of positivity. While much has been written about the magnetism of opposite personalities attracting each other, this couple is rather similar in many ways. “We are both outgoing, social, artistic and open-minded.”

THE MANTRAS OF MARRIAGE

• Shared passion and values
• Supporting each other’s dreams
• Friendship and camaraderie
• Communication

Ketan Dossa and his significant half Rishika

IN A SHORT WHILE THE DUO WAS INSEPARABLE

Nevertheless, the families were none too pleased. And it wasn’t the cultural difference either though Ketan is half Gujarati and Manglorean whilst Rishika is a Sindhi. It was the age gap that they were concerned about-all of 7 years. “Besides, my parents thought I was far too young for marriage and wanted me to go abroad for my higher studies,” she says.

However, as luck would have it Rishika had to let go of her Management studies given an imbroglio over an animal she had rescued. Given the aftermath of the episode, the parents felt marriage to the partner of her choice would provide the stability the young couple sought. “From abject reluctance to us getting married to actively urging us to tie the knot and get on with our lives, it sure was a U turn for mom and dad,” she smiles. “But we married with full familial support and that’s the main thing.”

THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF A MARRIAGE

However, despite the perceived difficulties over the difference in their cultural backgrounds, Rishika and Ketan encountered practically no adjustment issues post marriage. “My in-laws had had a love marriage. And though his dad was no more, my mother-in-law always believed that a young couple had the right to live their life in the manner they best saw fit. She has always been chilled out and accommodating and that’s always been so helpful,” she says. “What’s more, Ketan has been hugely supportive of all my endeavours, be it designing clothes, running a café and now Firefly.”

Given that they’ve been married for so long and managed different, demanding professions with dexterity, what according to them is the cornerstone of marriage? “Communication and respect for the other’s point of view,” says Rishika. “Whatever the differences, the important thing is to talk things out and get to the bottom of things. It isn’t enough to apologize when things go wrong, the important thing is to understand the root of the problem. Otherwise, the next time the episode repeats itself, you won’t be bothered to address it, just because you think it’s of little use. And that’s how the barriers set in. Don’t let that happen.”

Ketan would root for trust, comfort and friendship. “We are great buddies and that’s the best part,” he says.

Like every young couple, Covid-19 brought in important lessons in its wake. “You learnt to value both work and relationships for their own sake. For one, the lockdown and restriction made you value the little things in life. Something as minute and overlooked as being able to buy groceries all day just because the neighbourhood stores are open…you realize the importance of these little freedoms when they are taken away. Also, you have all the time in the world but no money because business is down,” says Rishika. “Without a doubt, Covid made us mindful about the little privileges we enjoy in our life.”

As the duo gets back to work with a vengeance, quality time consists of Netflix and chilling out with the dogs. “We are great homebodies. Having been in the restaurant and party industry, going out for a meal is not something that would hold as much charm as just being together,”says Ketan.

Amidst work and shared dreams and fun-time with pets, the couple is a living a full and meaningful life. And so, they are unanimous that while they love kids, they are happy being the way they are.