WHEN one is busy building a career, finding a life partner takes a back seat at times.
For Vinodhini Subramaniam, 35, a chartered secretary at a multinational firm, there was never any time to go on dates.
“I moved to Kuala Lumpur from my hometown Penang and was busy completing my law degree.
“I then became a chartered secretary as I did not pursue the Certificate in Legal Practice,” she explained.
However, things turned out well when Vinodhini registered for a matchmaking programme (suyamvaram) by Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and the Sri Meenakshi Sundaraeswarar Temple. She found her life partner there.
“I couldn’t believe it because even our horoscopes were a 10/10 match, something which rarely happens.
“Everything happened like clockwork and both our families are finalising the date for us to tie the knot.”
Her partner Yuvanendran Muthiah, 38, is from Bukit Mertajam and also works for a multinational firm.
He too was surprised with the perfect horoscope match and thanked God for helpinng him to find the right match.
Anandaraj Manimaran, 29, also found his life partner at the event and is planning to wed before the end of the year.
“I never expected everything to fall into place so fast.
“My match is a 29-year-old accountant who lives in Ayer Itam, Penang,” said Anandaraj from Kulim who works as a senior tech leader in Seberang Jaya.
“Dating was never my cup of tea and this matchmaking process is ideal for singles who prefer arranged marriages,” he added.
Suyamvaram or svayamvara in ancient India was a practice in which a woman chose a husband from a group of suitors.
Svayam in Sanskrit means “self” and vara means “groom”.
PHA president P. Murugiah said: “Women are more responsive to matchmaking services compared to men and most of those who applied were women.
“This programme received 300 applicants from Penang and other states.
“So far, 12 couples have informed us they would be getting married soon.”
Murugiah said the association would continue organising the matchmaking programme to encourage more single men and women to wed and live a more fulfilling life together.