No land, no Marriage: NRI grooms are facing rejection in the Telugu wedding market

For NRI grooms, this trend serves as a stark reminder that wealth and achievements abroad must now be balanced with roots firmly planted back home

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

In the evolving landscape of Telugu matrimony, a six-figure salary, luxury cars, and overseas degrees are no longer sufficient for NRI grooms to secure a match, timesofindia.indiatimes.com reported.

 Today, the missing ingredient for many eligible bachelors is land or immovable property back home in India—a trend gaining traction amidst rising economic uncertainties abroad.

Take Raj Jagirdar, a 36-year-old tech professional in Atlanta. Despite his lucrative career and lavish lifestyle, Raj finds himself rejected repeatedly in the marriage market for lacking property in Hyderabad. His situation mirrors that of numerous NRIs in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia, whose financial stability abroad now fails to compensate for a lack of generational wealth in India.

The Changing Priorities of Matrimony

According to marriage bureaus in Hyderabad, families of potential brides are prioritizing tangible assets over the once-desirable NRI status. “The focus on land and property has led us to introduce a section in our forms to list holdings explicitly,” said a representative of a marriage bureau in Ameerpet. This shift has also decreased the demand for NRIs; match arrangements that once numbered 18–20 monthly have dropped to 10–12.

For grooms like 34-year-old Abhishek Adhiraj, a data scientist in Brisbane, this change is disheartening. His family sold their modest plot in Vikarabad district to finance his education, leaving him asset-less but ambitious. “We are now planning to buy property around Hyderabad, as it seems to be the only way to find an alliance,” Abhishek shared, adding that this lack of assets has kept him in the marriage market for over six years.

Volatility Abroad Fuels Security Concerns

The shift stems largely from economic instability. Families of brides view property ownership as a safety net in volatile times. Jyothi Reddy, a 27-year-old chef in Vancouver, explained, “Even if everything else falls apart, we can rely on these possessions.” With her family actively searching for a groom, Jyothi’s checklist includes at least 10 acres of land, a house both in India and abroad, and a stable five-figure salary.

The Green Card Exception

While land and property are prized, there is one qualification that holds equal sway—a permanent residency (PR) or green card. For 28-year-old Abhishek Vishwanath, a Tampa-based entrepreneur, this demand feels restrictive. “Many profiles explicitly ask for a partner with a green card. It’s as if lacking a PR status disqualifies us from marriage,” he lamented, highlighting the growing pressure on NRI grooms.

Cultural Expectations in Transition

This increasing focus on assets underscores the evolving expectations within Telugu society. While earlier generations prioritized education and foreign exposure, modern families are adopting a more pragmatic approach. Assets like land and property offer tangible security in a world where job markets and global economies remain unpredictable.

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