A strong sense of family values and religious sanctity are two important factors that keep marriages together, says Kiran Chadha, a former bureaucrat, writer, motivational speaker, philanthropist and adventure lover, who points out that 99 per cent of marriages stay alive in India against just 60 per cent globally.
She also feels that the pandemic and the WFH (work from home) norm can be a blessing in disguise "if everybody learns to share work and accommodate each other".
"In spite of India's different regions and religions, there is a common thread in Indian marriages that has kept them intact in spite of the institution being under strain in various parts of the world. To my mind, there are five," Chadha, the author of the meticulously researched "Magic of Indian Weddings - Timeless Traditions, Sacred Customs" (Rupa), told IANS in an interview.

Dalhousie…through my eyes, is a slice of pictorial history of almost two centuries. Spread over five hills, Dalhousie with tall pine trees, lush green meadows surrounded by snow-clad mountains in mesmerizing Himalayas is my home town. After traversing the world, I have my roots here. I dwell in the cool breeze, the torrential rains, the rainbow encircling horizons, the mystical colours of the sunset vales among the known faces of Dalhousie.

Life is lived forwards but understood backwards. Learning about family history is the key to unlocking who we are. Through this book, I have traced the family roots of Plahas, my ancestors who founded Surkhigala in Dalhousie around 1880. With this accomplishment, I hope to inspire my friends, children and grandchildren to come again and again to relish and cherish Dalhousie.