Jain Spirit 2003 12 No 17

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 44

YOUTH
Clicking Online
CLICKING ONLINE
Finding real love in a virtual world is more likely than ever for young Jains of the Internet generation, says Roopa Shah
T'S NO LONGER OUT OF THE ordinary to see a virtual tray of Lmithai sitting in your inbox for Diwali or an email from your sister with a virtual rakhi and blessing for raksha bandhan. Let's face it, the Internet has become an indispensable tool to communicate with others. Among other things, it has rapidly developed into a medium for meeting friends and companions and finding life-long partners.
To put it into perspective, research shows that about 18 million people visited online personal web sites in June 2002, an increase from 14.8 million in October 2001; while in March 2003 it was reported that the personal/dating category has become the largest paid category for online consumer spending at US $302 million in revenues.
As online dating becomes mainstream, the services are targeting specific affinities ranging from Catholics and Jews to Ivy League graduates and the deaf. To add to the virtual world of matchmaking, Jains have now made their own mark on the Internet.
Meet Kalpana, a savvy 28-year-old chiropractor living and working in Chicago. Kalpana was ready to settle down soon after graduating from school a year ago. Between completing her clinical and looking for a job, Kalpana met various men through friends and family, but none who fit the qualities she wanted in a husband. "I realised that I was the only one who knew what I wanted - someone who shared the same culture and values as me - and so I decided to take it into my own hands," says Kalpana. After some hesitation, but continued pressure from her parents to get married, she decided to join Jain Connections.com, an online
individuals, who combined their shared
Jain background with their distinct wed on the web
areas of expertise to create an online service for their fellow community members.
"The reality is that we live in a different world today and young Jains and parents alike are moving away from conventional methods of
matchmaking whether it's arranged or matrimonial site exclusively for Jains.
through introductions," says Nilesh “It's hard to believe, but only a year
Kothary, Director of Marketing, and a half ago I thought I'd never meet
Jain Connections.com. my soul mate, and now," she says as
"Jain Connections.com has revolushe looks at her husband Bimal, "I'm
tionised the term 'matchmaking and sitting right beside him."
we can see from our growth in the last Bimal's story is quite different.
year that it really does prove to be an The charismatic 31-year-old
alternative for Jains looking for a longTorontonian is a computer analyst
term commitment or marriage." based in New York. "My job requires
Jain Connections.com's exclusivity me to travel, it's very demanding. I
lies in the features and function of the didn't have time to connect with
site. For example, the service has the friends, let alone find my life partner,"
facility for members to search profiles says Bimal. As he was enjoying
by profession, country of origin, surfing the Internet, Bimal came across
language and even diet. Similarly, the JainConnections.com and thought he'd
ability to provide detailed profiles with try it out. "I first registered on the site
pictures allows members to get an more out of curiosity than anything
intimate and personal portrait of else," says Bimal. "The rest is all
individuals. Parents are also welcome history." Now happily married for
to register by indicating that they are a almost a year, the couple reside in New
mother/father searching for a match for York.
their son/daughter. JainConnections.com has firmly
"I'm thrilled to know that I can established itself as the Internet's first
meet other single Jains from around the North American and European
world using an easy, convenient and matrimonial site exclusively for Jains.
confidential approach," says Mina, a The website has over 1,200 members recent member from London, UK. with an equal male-female ratio and the
This seems to be the new way for majority are 18 to 45 years of age from
many young Jains, so don't be the UK, USA, Canada and India.
surprised when you hear about another Launched on January 1, 2002, the
couple's success story from service offers Jains over the age of 18 a
JainConnections.com. 2 private and convenient medium to meet individuals interested in serious, long
Roopa Shah lives in Canada, and is a term and marital relationships.
member of the Jain Connections.com The Canadian-based site was
team. For more information, please envisioned, designed and built by a
visit www.JainConnections.com or team team
of four young professional of four young professional | email info@Jain Connections.com.
em
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Jain Spirit . December 2003 - February 2004
DIGITAL IMAGE: JAMES MATURIN-BAIRD (PAINTING: GUARAT MUSEUM SOCIETY)
Jain Education Interational 2010_03