Bride from Thailand and France settle in MP:When love crossed borders, foreign daughters-in-law made Madhya Pradesh their home, embracing culture and family traditions

A renowned tattoo artist, Swapril Vijayvargiya, from Bhopal, and his wife Roza, a teacher from France, have a love story straight out of a film. Their journey was shaped by timing, coincidence, and a bit of luck. Swapril recalls that he first met Roza in Bhopal nearly four years ago. Roza had arrived in India on a one-year interim visa and attended an event where they met. Their friendship had just begun when a nationwide lockdown was announced, forcing Roza to stay in Bhopal for a year. This unexpected circumstance allowed the couple to truly get to know each other. “The lockdown turned out to be a blessing for us. We got to spend a lot of time together,” Swapril said. Maintaining a long-distance relationship When the lockdown ended, Roza returned to France, and the couple faced the challenge of long-distance. However, technology and strong determination kept their relationship alive through video calls and messages for almost two years. During this time, they decided to embark on life’s next journey together. Family approval and a grand wedding When Swapril told his family about the relationship, they were pleasantly surprised. “I wasn’t ready to marry anyway, so my family thought, ‘Finally, he’s ready!’ and immediately approved,” Swapril recalled. In 2023, Swapril and Roza got married in Bhopal following traditional Indian customs. The wedding became an international celebration with over 50 guests from France and other countries attending the ceremony. Language and Culture: Challenges and Respect The biggest challenge post-marriage was language, rather than cultural differences. Swapril often acted as a translator between the families. Roza is now learning Hindi with dedication, while Swapril is improving his French. Swapril stressed that culture is never a barrier in relationships; mutual respect makes every challenge easier. Today, the couple lives in France but visits India annually during festivals, reflecting their deep-rooted connection to their homeland. Mandu story: Marie and Dheeraj Marie, from France, first visited India nearly a decade ago to explore its historical sites. During her trip, she arrived in Mandu and met Dheeraj Chaudhary, a passionate local guide. Their initial interaction blossomed into friendship as Dheeraj shared stories of Mandu’s forts and palaces. Marie was deeply impressed by his knowledge and dedication to Indian culture. Their friendship gradually turned into love, and Marie made the bold decision to move to India permanently to be with Dheeraj. Today, the couple lives in Mandu, married with two sons, Kashi and Neel. Marie teaches her children both Hindi and French to connect them equally to their Indian and French heritage. The couple also built a sustainable, eco-friendly home in Mandu using traditional methods and natural resources. Dheeraj proudly says their house requires neither heaters in winter nor air-conditioning in summer. Marie has embraced not just her Indian husband, but also the Indian way of life, fully integrating with the local community while giving their children a rich blend of both cultures. Khajuraho story: Anshul and Svetlana Another international love story unfolded in Khajuraho. Anshul Singh Rajawat from Khajuraho met Svetlana from Moscow during her 2013 visit. Their friendship soon blossomed into love. The couple first married in Russia, then later, influenced by Svetlana’s admiration for Indian culture, held a grand traditional Hindu wedding in Khajuraho. Today, they have a son, Alex, symbolizing their global family. Cultural harmony leads to business success Anshul and Svetlana have turned their international relationship into a professional partnership, running a tourism and hospitality business. They organize tours in India, Russia, and Bhutan, splitting their time between Khajuraho and Moscow. Svetlana has wholeheartedly embraced Indian culture, respecting festivals, food, and family values. Their story demonstrates how couples from different backgrounds can not only build a happy personal life but also achieve joint professional success.