THE UNSPOKEN PAIN OF BACHELORS

AT one point in the distant history of our glorious nation, Brahmacharya or bachelorhood - was revered by our ancestors.

- HRIDAY RANJAN

A man who sacrificed mortal pleasures like marriage was given free food, a place to stay, and treated with respect. When Bheeshma swore to remain a bachelor in the Mahabharata, the gods showered him with flowers (or at least, that was what was shown in BR Chopra's version!). Today, bachelors are ridiculed and treated with wariness. Bheeshma would have been given a flat if he had gotten married to Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. But as a bachelor, he would have to sleep on his bed of arrows. If our ancestors looked down at how bramhacharis are treated today, they would be shocked at how we are looked down upon.

For some reason, bachelors are looked at with fear, stigma and suspicion. People who get married have to endure an awkward first meeting with their partner's family. Bachelors.

have to go through 'the talk' every time they need to find a house to stay at. There is a scrutiny process that is more stringent than the passport verification process of North Korea.