Vadodara: For a growing number of young men, the search for a bride is difficult — not for lack of qualifications, but due to social barriers and skewed sex ratios in their communities. Many turned to the women’s protection home in Nizampura, but have not found prospective brides there either.The recent wedding of an inmate, Deepa, on March 11 triggered a surge in calls to the facility. The wedding, which drew attention for giving a new start to a woman raised at the home, also highlighted an unusual reality — a long queue of prospective grooms waiting, but no brides to match them with. “We are getting many calls every day, but none of the 50-odd women staying here qualify for marriage,” said Hetaxi Champaneri, manager of the protection home. “We used to get such inquiries earlier as well, but the number has increased significantly after the recent wedding.” Despite being advised against it, many young men have sent in their biodatas. The facility already had over 100 such profiles even before the recent wedding, and the number continues to grow.The home arranges marriages only for women who are orphans or whose parents cannot be traced. Those who seek shelter due to family disputes or for protection are not eligible.What stands out, officials say, is the profile of the men reaching out. Many are educated and financially stable — engineers, graduates, teachers and small business owners — profiles that would typically find matches without difficulty. Yet, social realities tell a different story.“Some youths say there are few eligible women in their caste due to skewed sex ratios. Others say not owning agricultural land makes it difficult for them to find a bride,” Champaneri said.The protection home facilitated six weddings in 2016 and two in 2022.
