"Indian society has moved a long way from the way the marriage is arranged in the story." Discuss with reference to Ranga's alliance with Ratna and the role played by the narrator in arranging the same.

in the past, marriage in india was usually arranged by parents or relative. the story the Ranga's marriage shows how the narrator arranges the ranga's marriage with the help of the astrologer. After independence certain changes has become in the economic and social setup of the indian society. Woman empowerment has made man combradus and women and not a mere prisoner confined within the 4 walls. women education and access to jobs have changed the attitude of modern males towards them. A girl is now accepted as a partner for her worth or qualities, rather the dowry. The marriagable young boys and girls have now more say in the choice of partner. Early marriages have been banned legally. The minimum age of a girl marriage is 18 yrs and boy is 21 yrs. By this time they attainphysical, mental and emotional maturity. indian society have suddenly moved a long way from the time of arranged marriages when the forman concent of the brobe was taken for granted and the elders fixed everything.

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It is true that the Indian society has evolved way beyond what has been portrayed in the story. The way Shyama arranged Ranga's marriage is not how it happens in the modern times. Children today do not want to stay dependent on their parents or elders to chose their life partners. They now want to take control of their lives. They take the lead and decide themselves who they want to spend their lives with. The society has opened up to love marriages. However, it should be noted that love marriages are not modern, this culture has existed since times immemorial. Many cases of love marriage can be traced back in the history. Shakuntala did love marriage (gandharva vivah), Sita and Draupadi chose their partners on their own (swayamavar). Hence, it is difficult to say whether arranged marriage is an old tradition or love marriage. Now that we have been independent for decades and have moved far ahead of Medieval and Modern India, it can be observed that the culture of arranged marriage is returning. Hence, we can be sure of at least one thing that these are trends that come and go and people follow what is in fashion.

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