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Showing posts with label institution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label institution. Show all posts

Thursday, October 23, 2014

The Course of Married Life


Marriage of the Virgin



Those who have heard me say this before please bear with me. That is, if marriage, whether it is- arranged/not-love, or love marriage, as we call it in India, is an institution, then there should be a limit to the number of years we spend in it. For someone steeped in western and modern thinking and culture, this would seem obvious. But for someone like me who grew up,  let's just say, in a "quaint" culture, it would be a godsend. Again, to describe that someone like me, for instance, for those brought up with that inordinate yearning to be liked and approved by everyone. So a society- approved cessation of our stint in that institution would be to my liking. Once you complete certain lessons, and take a few tests, you pass. Just pass or pass in flying colors. Once you put in the number of years in the contract, you are free to go. Degree in Married Life. At some point, after the initial beginners's classes, of course you are on the job. Trainee at first, but soon, full fledged worker. Some become the boss and teacher, while others remain the student and the employee. Whatever your designation, what if at the end of the stipulated time, you receive your Award and/or Degree or your duly stamped Passport to freedom?

In any case, I think that at certain points while you are in that great Course, Degrees could be awarded. In recognition of the learning and the experience.  This is assuming you are with the same person throughout the course. If it is with somebody else, you still get awards, different ones – for your extraordinary attitude of hope, and unfailing faith in, and admiration of , the  value of the education that you receive from that great institution.
Thus,

At the end of the first year - A Certificate - Married Life 101

At the end of 5 years - Diploma in Married Life 110

10 years - Degree awarded - Bachelor's in Married Life

20 years - Master's

25 years - Ph.D in Married Life

Over 25 years - Nobel Peace Prize

Over 50 years - no Degree, no award, Virtue being its own reward. Except maybe dementia, depression, death, at least for one, in the pair.
 :)