Couple gets engaged on video call

RAMANAGARA: A unique engagement ceremony was conducted in Udupi where a groom and his bride from Udupi got engaged online via video call on Monday. The groom, Suhas, from Chakrabavi village, is currently working in Canada and couldn’t make it to India for the engagement due to work commitments.

The engagement ceremony was held at a private wedding hall in Udupi with the bride, Megha, and her family participating in person. Suhas joined the ceremony via video call from Canada. The couple has fixed their wedding dates as January 7 and 8, and they are looking forward to being together soon.

The families performed the engagement rituals as per Brahmin traditions, with the couple exchanging rings on camera. The LED screen displayed the groom’s video feed, and the bride’s family performed the rituals, including aarathi and Mantrakashate. The couple exchanged rings, marking the beginning of their new journey together.

The engagement ceremony was attended by family members and friends, who wished the couple well. The time difference between India and Canada was a challenge, with the ceremony taking place in the morning in Udupi and late night in Canada.

Nonetheless, the couple and their families made it work, showcasing the adaptability and flexibility of modern relationships. The ceremony was a testament to the changing times, where technology is bridging distances and making it possible to conduct important life events remotely.

Suhas’ brother Yashas said, “He is working in Canada and the engagement ceremony was conducted on Sunday via video conference. It was midnight in Canada and morning in Udupi. Technology came our aid”. Gowri Sridhar, Suhas’ mother, said, “Suhas could not travel and since he wanted to spend more time here during the wedding, we had the engagement ceremony online. This is a new experience for us except for the fact that my son was not here in person for the event”.