BHOPAL: Vows, or promises, if you like – though the former sounds decidedly grander – are an integral part of romantic relationships, and of course, marriages.
The ‘Saptapadi’, during which the bride and the groom make five rounds of sacred fire while taking as many vows is the most important ritual of Hindu weddings and the one that lends it legal validity. These vows have a wide sweep and range from the bride taking responsibility for running the household to the groom declaring that he would protect her. The vows also take into account the children they would be blessed with and hope that they would be obedient and would live long.
The Christian wedding vow is much simpler. One of the Catholic versions runs thus: “I, take you, to be my lawfully wedded (husband/wife), to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”.
In the case of secular marriages, performed under the Special Marriage Act 1954 the would-be husband and wife have to simply state that “I take thee, to be my lawful wife (or husband)”.
But that is about marriage. What about after it. Promise Day is the fifth day of the Valentine’s week which is celebrated annually on 11th of February in which lovers make promises to each other.
On the eve of the Promise Day, The Free Press Journal spoke to some city-based young couples what they want to promise to their life partners on the Day and they want them to promise in return.
Babita Niranjan, Dentist
I promise to him that I will fulfill all the seven marriage vows to the best of my capacity and also that I will be more cooperative and will try to make him happier. From the core of my heart, I wish he should promise to quit smoking. And also be more caring and focus more on personal rather than social life. I also wish that “jitne achchhe abhi hai usse jayda achchhe ho jaye” (He should become better than what he is)
Husain Tabish, Assistant producer, Doordarshan, Bhopal
At present, I am not living with my wife. So my short-term promise to her is to visit home and be with her on our next marriage anniversary, which falls on April 26 whereas my long-term promise is to love her and be loyal to her all my life and never betray her trust.
Girish Urkude, Artist
To spend more and more time with my wife and not to do anything which she dislikes. After marriage we didn’t get time to travel outstation. This time I promise to take her on a week-long honeymoon trip. My wife is also an artist so I expect that she should keep working regularly and progress in field of art.
Nitesh, Music Instructor, Sharda Vidya Mandir
I want to promise that I will help my life partner whenever she is in trouble because that is when she would need me the most. I personally think one plus one is eleven not two. And I wish her to promise the same to me.
Nikita Kothari, Freelance Photographer
I promise to respect his choices and feelings even when there are differences between us. This will make our relationship stronger. And I expect the same from him too.
Hemant Rao, artist
I promise to spend more and more quality time with my life partner because nowadays people are so busy that they don’t have time for each other. I also promise to be together with her always. And I wish the same from my life partner.
