1959: A Love Story

Book excerpt: This true story of unconditional love between a Christian nurse from Kerala and a Hindu doctor from Punjab who got married in 1959 against much opposition, is in fact a tribute to joint and extended families scattered all over the globe. Sooraj Barjatya, the filmmaker writes in the Prologue for the book that “Each chapter makes you want to go home, plan a family dinner, sit and laugh together.” In her Foreword, Dr. Indu Shahani, the Dean of the Indian School of Management and Entrepreneurship and former Principal of the H.R. College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai refers to the young couple and says, “The fulfilment they gave to each other flowed out of them to their families, friends, neighbours and patients and created ever-widening circles of happiness.” Young people in love can learn from the book how to win their parents and others against their alliance for religious or other reasons. The young as well as old generations will find the book helpful to enjoy and stay up together in a joint family, in spite of space or other constraints. Do read the chapter ‘Servants or Helpers’ about those who enjoyed working for the author. She preferred to use the term ‘Helpers’ and has quite a few ‘Friends’ whom she helped to a great extent to come up in life. Those fond of pets will find the chapter ‘Our Life with our Dogs’, very touching. The chapter ‘Supporting Raj’ describes how spouses can support each other for having a happy and purposeful life.