Tania Malhotra Sondhi is a boutique progressive matchmaker who has connected people living globally and has helped people find soulmates. Some people very much believe in the idea of a forever love and Tania is one of them. As someone who is always on the go meeting people, here are Tania’s insights about matchmaking in India.
What inspired you to start MatchMe?
I was in the recruiting industry conducting executive searches for several top companies in India and the Middle East when we conceived the idea to start MatchMe. Mishi and I both met our husbands early on in college and we both wholeheartedly believe how meaningful and joyful life can be if you spend it with the ‘right’ person. We saw many gaps in the avenues available at that time and saw many friends not being too comfortable with the typical arranged marriage process. Hence the significance of connecting like minded people and the commitment of MatchMe towards making this happen.
What does the process of matchmaking at MatchMe look like?
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Once you choose to avail our personalized search and matchmaking service, we meet or interact with you to understand you as well as your requirements for your life partner. We make your profile, based on individual interaction. This will include in depth understanding of past relationship patterns, deal breakers and must haves. The search process begins with scanning and filtering of various profiles for you. Our search expands beyond our network to our social circle and references as well as media sources. We compile and present comprehensive information of the prospective match for you with a recent picture. Once we get consent from you, we fix your meeting. After each meeting, we individually speak to both parties and use your feedback to refine further matches. We are personally involved throughout this process and update our clients periodically on the search progress
What do you think needs to change about Indian matchmaking culture?
We feel single boys and girls should come forward themselves to find their life partners. Many times we see parents actively looking out without their children being involved. It’s important to find your compatibility before you get married and we encourage them to take time and get to know each other well. One must go beyond caste, community etc and focus on other important aspects.
How can women be more empowered in their relationships in the Indian context?
We encourage women to come forward and make efforts while looking out for their life partners. Most importantly, have their priorities set so that they make an informed choice as to how they want to lead a happy married life.
Let us know more about your own journey with love and matchmaking and what you wish was different about it?
I met my husband early on in college. He is six years older to me and from a typical matrimonial view this did not seem to be the ideal age gap but our love nurtured over a period of time and we decided to marry. We realized the age gap didn’t matter because we were compatible and connected well. It has been a beautiful journey. I have two lovely grown up daughters and I don’t wish anything to be different.
What are the future plans you have for MatchMe?
We wish to expand our network. We have always followed a screening process for clients who join us and this has helped in building a like minded network of educated and progressive minded people. We are leveraging technology to speed up the series of introductions for our clients so that one can find their ‘Right’ one soon.
How does MatchMe help people living globally to find a suitable match?
We have done several matches across continents. During covid times, many people connected over calls, long distance was not a deterrent. Even now we are continuing to connect people across nations as many are focusing on the person rather than location.
Please shed some light on the organizational culture at MatchMe and how love is embedded in the ethos of the organization.
At Matchme we don’t look at arranged marriages as they are perceived to be. We look at it as ‘arranged’ introductions as we have seen many couples falling in love and then deciding to marry. Hence, we feel love does play an important role and can happen even during a matchmaking process so never say never..!!