Values that Bind, Dreams that Soar

Entrepreneur Prashant Surana from Hyderabad and his to-be CA bride Rajul Jain, on the importance of shared values and common goals to take a relationship onwards and forward. This is one journey that has just commenced but it’s exciting days ahead

It’s not often that a love match follows the same rapid trajectory that an arranged marriage would. But every now and then, life facilitates a beautiful coincidence allowing two similar people to choose each other, sans interference.

And that’s exactly what happened in this case.

Young dreams grounded in age old
values: Prashant and Rajul

Back to the beginning

This story was scripted not too long ago, in August 2021, to be precise. As it happened, knowing aspiring CA Rajul Jain’s interest in cryptocurrency, her friend suggested she join young entrepreneur Prashant Surana’s startup in Hyderabad.

After all, he was the founder-director of Snapper Future Tech, a global blockchain development company that offers blockchain development solutions, training services and an innovative suite of specialised products for e-Governance, Financial Services, Insurance, Sustainable Supply Chain & Healthcare. “This is pretty much the future of the internet and has tremendous growth potential,” says Prashant. “My father was very happy and encouraging of my dream to set up my own establishment. Since my partners are from Pune, and it’s such a happening IT hub, we set up our headquarters here,” he shares.

The startup is a recognised Crypto Currency Exchange in India-CryptoForce (formerly known as CoinsBit India SDC) and Prashant serves as a co-founder to them.

But when Rajul walked in, she had her opinions to share about how things could be done. Slightly taken aback at her upfront manner, Prashant was nevertheless impressed with her honesty, integrity and straightforward manner of speaking. What’s more, she happened to be nearly of the same age and from the same cultural background as him. (Both are Jains.)

As for Rajul, she admired his calm, composed temperament and courteous, respectful manner. “Importantly enough, we both have similar values and goals. Family is hugely important to both of us,” she smiles.

“Things went so well and proceeded so quickly, that I knew that she was ‘The one for me’ in just 15 days,” says Prashant.

Happily, the families shared their enthusiasm and the wedding happened with traditional pomp and ceremony in February 2022.

Since then, the couple has been mostly in their hometown Hyderabad, going back to Pune, every now and then.

THE MANTRAS OF A MARRIAGE

• Shared dreams
• Respect, trust and patience
• Appreciating each other’s point of view
• Celebrating differences in temperament

From strength to strength

While it's early days yet, the young couple is clear that respect, trust and understanding are the cornerstone of a relationship. “In short, it’s all about learning to appreciate life from the other person’s point of view and not just our own,” says Rajul. “The true point of marriage is to be each other’s support system and backbone.”

On his part, Prashant would urge newly-wed husbands to be sensitive to the huge upheaval in the girl’s life. “It’s the girl who has to leave her family and friends and adjust to a whole new way of life. She has to sacrifice a lot. If only we understood this and helped our bride in little and big ways, it would go a long way in cementing the relationship,” he says with characteristic quiet maturity. “It takes time to iron out the creases in any equation. Thus, patience and empathy are critical to the future of the marriage.”

Like every couple, this one has its share of differences as well. While neither of them is prone to raising voices or feisty displays of temper, conflict does have a way of taking away from the general peace. “One must not let the negativity linger though. Talk things through, communicate, and let heated matters blow over. Above all, never go to bed angry with each other. Resolve your differences before then,” says Rajul.

The one thing that both agree on is not letting egos get the better of either their bond or the matter on hand. “When he disagrees with my approach over something, I give it a deeper second thought. Many a time, it turns out that he is right. Thus, instead of rejecting a new thought or idea outright, it would be better if we looked at it objectively, without the burden of ego,” she says. “Life becomes so much simpler that way.”

Life is busy but on an even keel, given Prashant’s regular office hours and Rajul’s innate understanding of the entrepreneurial life. (She’s from a business home herself.) Apart from enjoying the early days of marriage, she’s also focused on clearing her CA exams. “I am pretty career-oriented and want to retain my own individuality as far as work is concerned,” she says confidently.

It helps that Prashant is very helpful and hands-on around their home, besides being supportive of her dreams.

Quality time for the duo consists of sharing one meal together a day, apart from going out with friends, travelling and chilling out with Netflix. “We are pretty big on long drives, chats and coffee days,” she smiles.

Bringing up baby-not quite yet

It’s the early days of marriage for the couple. Plus, given their young age and career ambitions, it makes sense to take their time starting a family. “As of now, we are each other’s priority. And our career, of course,” says Rajul.

But whenever the kids come in, both are sure that their childhoods will be a healthy mix of new-age parenting and time-tested, age-old values. “Parents are supposed to give their children values and learnings that will work for the time they live in. However, some aspects are non-negotiable, such as respect for tradition, elders and the institution of family,” rounds off Prashant.