Crazy, Stupid, LOVE

The heart wants what the heart wants. Throw in distractions like difference of caste, creed, religion, geography, but a connection once made is for good. We map the happily ever afters of four couples who allowed love to win! Over to.

- Hemchhaya De

A CROSS-BORDER UNION

A number of visa hurdles and the political tension between the two countries could not stop this Kolkata boy and Karachi girl from pursuing their relationship

Love knows no geographical barriers. Nor can a strained relationship between two countries put a spanner in the works, if two people on either side of the border decide to settle down. Kolkata boy Wajid Ali Mirza and Karachi girl Aeliya Danish, both in their late 20s, would know that well. In January this year, they got married in Karachi, and had a gala reception in Kolkata.

Wajid grew up in Kolkata and worked with Hewlett Packard Inc in Bengaluru for about four years. Aeliya grew up in Karachi and worked with Standard Chartered Bank for a few years. “We are distant cousins and used to interact occasionally on social media. As our interaction increased, we grew fond of each other,” says Wajid.

Both their families suggested that they get married, despite the chequered history between the two countries. Stringent visa rules are a major impediment to crossborder marriages. In India, one can only apply for visas to visit Pakistan at the country's embassy in Delhi. So Wajid had to travel to Delhi to procure visas for himself and his family.