“Divorce after 40+ years”

"Divorce after 40+ years” (Events and Personalities, Parsiana, May 21, 2009) may be a record of sorts not so much for the quantum of alimony but for the length of remaining married on paper.

Marriage, they say, is a lakdé ka laddoo, khai woh bhi pachtai, na khai woh bhi pachtai (a sweetmeat made of wood, which is regretted by both, the one who eats it as well as the one who does not).

To rub salt into the wounds of married men Justice Markandeya Katju of the Supreme Court has advised them: "If your wife asks you to put your face that side, put it; if she says put it this side, put it this side. Otherwise you will face trouble,” as quoted in Daily News and Analysis of May 20, 2009. To expect all men to be henpecked, and particularly Parsi bawas, boggles the imagination.

Yesteryear actress Zsa Zsa Gabor sums it up thus: "A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.” The fate of the married man is sealed, and there is no point weeping over spilt milk, or shall we say alimony? What about bachelors, bawas in particular? The situation is "To be or not to be” and here are some nuggets worth mulling over — or else end up being at risk of paying Rs 45 lakhs by way of alimony!

"I have sometimes thought of marrying and then I’ve thought again.” — Noel Coward, 1956

"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others.”— Oscar Wilde

"Don’t marry for money; you can borrow it cheaper.” — Scottish proverb

"Bachelors know more about women than married men; if they didn’t they’d be married too.” — H. L. Mencken

"I don’t worry about terrorism. I was married for two years.” — Sam Kinison

"Wedding is destiny, and hanging likewise.” — John Heywood

"Before marriage I thought WIFE stands for Wonderful Instrument For Enjoyment… now I think wife means Worries Invited For Ever.” — Unknown

"Not all men are fools. Some are bachelors.” — Amir Tuteja

Was it Cliff Richards or Ricky Nelson who sang: "When I was young my father said, ‘Son I have something to say…son you are a bachelor boy and that’s the way to stay, happy to be a bachelor boy until your dying day.’”

BEHRAM AGA

behram_r_aga@yahoo.co.in