Tom had the pleasure of celebrating Christmas in his hometown of Leicester when he had his first encounter with Vishva. It was December 1972, and Tom, a student at Goldsmiths, University of London, had returned home for the holiday break. He was invited to his old college end-of-year party due to his previous role as student union president.
At the party, Tom entered the venue and immediately noticed Vishva, who caught his eye as the most stunning woman in attendance. However, she seemed uneasy, and he quickly realized it was because an older man was bothering her. Tom decided to intervene and sat down at Vishva’s table to engage her in conversation. Grateful for the escape from the man’s unwanted attention, Vishva found it “really nice” to meet Tom. Going to a pub was against her Hindu background, but she had disregarded the cultural norms to accompany her friends that day, risking trouble if anyone who knew her parents saw her.
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking, getting to know each other. However, Vishva had obligations and couldn’t stay out late. Tom and Vishva had both been studying at the same college, but she also had a Saturday job at a department store. Despite their limited time together, they came to realize how much they enjoyed each other’s company during their encounters in town over the holiday season.
Their first official New Year’s Eve together marked a significant milestone in their relationship. They joined a group of mutual friends for the celebration and shared their first kiss as the clock struck midnight.
Once the party ended, Tom accompanied Vishva to the bus stop, where her father unexpectedly arrived in a car. This was the moment Tom realized that being in a relationship with an Asian woman in Leicester during the early 70s would present its challenges. Regardless of the cultural obstacles, they were determined to persevere. Tom returned to university, but they maintained their connection through letters and phone calls. Vishva would discreetly use public phone boxes to speak with Tom, as she knew her parents would disapprove. She didn’t want to lie but still found a way to nurture their growing bond.
As their relationship deepened, it became increasingly challenging to conceal their love. Vishva longed to be with Tom but didn’t want to deceive her parents. The strain on her was immense, though Tom admits he didn’t fully comprehend it at the time.
Aware that Vishva’s family would never accept their relationship, they made the bold decision to get married as a testament to their commitment. Despite being students and facing potential difficulties, they were determined to pursue their love. When they broke the news to Vishva’s parents, it caused chaos, and they immediately opposed the idea. Vishva’s extended family were brought in to discourage the union, while Tom’s family had concerns due to their limited knowledge of Hindu culture. However, Vishva’s step-grandmother, the wise centenarian, insisted that the couple be allowed to marry. Her intervention played a pivotal role in ensuring their union became a reality. The couple celebrated their love with both a civil ceremony and a traditional Hindu wedding, a rarity for mixed marriages at the time. The wedding ceremony was conducted in Sanskrit, and one of Vishva’s uncles guided Tom through the ritual.
Tom and Vishva relocated to London, where Tom continued his studies at university, and both successfully completed their education. Tom pursued a career in the housing industry, eventually rising to the position of chief executive, while Vishva became a math teacher and later developed programs focusing on educational access and fighting racism. Over the following two decades, they moved around various regions in the north of England and the Midlands before ultimately settling in Warwickshire in 2002. They are proud parents to their son, Kieran, born in 1983. The name Kieran holds special significance as it means “dark one” in Gaelic and “ray of light” in Sanskrit, symbolizing their love bridging different cultures.
Now, fifty years into their marriage, Tom affirms that his wife is as beautiful as ever. He describes her as the kindest person he knows, someone who has stood by his side through the best and worst times. Being a wonderful mother to their son has been an additional blessing. Every year on their anniversary, Tom playfully reflects on the doubters who claimed their love wouldn’t last, while they continue to enjoy date nights every Friday.
Vishva acknowledges that her parents initially faced rejection and estrangement from certain family members, but Tom eventually won their acceptance. Their relationship thrives on open communication and the ability to discuss any issues that arise. They deeply respect and care for each other, considering themselves fortunate to have stood the test of time.
Share your story and experiences with us below. We welcome your contributions, and you can remain anonymous if you prefer. Rest assured that the form is encrypted, and only The Guardian has access to your responses. The data you provide will solely be used for this feature and will be deleted when it is no longer needed. For complete anonymity, please utilize our SecureDrop service instead.
Please continue sharing your love stories as well.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
