MAM
Online matrimonial search gains popularity among eligible brides & grooms
MUMBAI: The Internet and Online Association (IOA) announced the findings of a research study on Online Matrimonial Search.
Over 4 million online matrimonial search subscribers have shown that they find the Internet as a viable medium for looking for eligible brides and grooms.
Online matrimonial search offers distinct advantages as against traditional matchmaking, which is fundamentally random.
It allows you to specify your requirements of the person and do a meaningful search,
Availability of information along with photographs makes the search easier and quicker,
Makes it possible for people to get to know each other through email, chat online and talk on the phone, without revealing the identity, until they are comfortable to do so,
No other form of matrimonial search compares in its ability to bring so many available singles together with tons of information about each, and it provides a quick and efficient way to ferret out matches,
Starts as a free service provider and makes people pay only once convinced.
Commenting on the huge growth in Online Matrimonial Search, IOA president Preeti Desai said, “The growth is impressive and can be attributed to its unique search and match functionality or the fact that it starts as a free service and makes individuals and families to pay only once convinced. Its wide acceptance will be further propelled by the fact that there are four million highly eligible Indians searching for their appropriate partners from India as well as other countries USA, UK and UAE.”
Profiles can be posted online free of cost and the cost per month per subscription ranges from Rs 400 – Rs 950. The medium is used by singles, divorcees and widowers – including parents of various prospective brides and grooms mainly because:
It creates the opportunity to meet people one would otherwise never meet. Men cite this as an advantage especially the one living in non-metros,
It’s easier to end a relationship if it’s just online,
It offers privacy and confidentiality Women regard this as a big advantage,
It’s a lot more convenient than other ways of trying to meet people and allows you to be selective. Again, women regard this as a big advantage than men,
Two main reasons for not using the service were perceived lack of trust – 84 per cent and embarrassment – 16 per cent.
The estimated market size of the Online Matrimonial Search market for the year 2004-2005 is Rs 200 million and the projected market size for the year 2007-2008 is pegged at Rs 800+ million. On the other hand, the market size for the year 2003-2004 was Rs 60 million.
On the other hand, the online matrimonial search subscribers in October 2004 was four million as compared to 2.25 million in June 2003.
People in the age group of 20 – 55 years are the ones who usually log on to matrimonial sites and the fastest growing age group is 25 – 34 years. The study also found that the average time spent by visitors on matrimonial searches is 19 minutes and the average time spent by subscribers on matrimonial searches is 34 minutes. The male-female ratio, on the other hand is 69 per cent: 31 per cent.
IOA examined matrimonial search by new subscribers by gender and found men to be more involved in the process.
Hindustan Times chief executive Internet Sanjay Trehan said, “The online matrimonial classifieds are replete with exciting possibilities, as better search, wider reach and real time environment lead to more customer benefits. However, it is critical to maintain the credibility and integrity of the database. At Hindustan Times, we are planning to add more value to our online offering, HTMatrimonials.com, which is aligned with our print product.”
BharatMatrimony.com business head S Suresh said, “The Internet is a powerful medium that is borderless and seamless, couple the Internet with life partner searching and the possibilities are endless. The Internet definitely has more benefits than other mediums of life partner searching. Every search query that is put forth by the user returns with a wider choice and precision of the query so put, thereby improving the quality of matches and hence making it a growing and preferred medium.”
Rediff.com India Limited head IR and public affairs Debasis Ghosh said, “We are happy to state that Rediff Matchmaker is one of the fastest growing communities on the Rediff website as demonstrated by the over two fold growth achieved in our matrimonial subscriber base over the past year. This growth was achieved on the back greater customer delight experienced by our users due to the introduction of superior features like the unique message management system allowing for threaded and referenced interaction and the state-of-the-art contextual search facilitating better matches. With dozens of successful matches being initiated through Rediff Matchmaker during 2004, we are optimistic that this service will continue to foster a young and vibrant community of interest at Rediff.com.”
On the other hand, Shaadi.com group product manager Shrinath Mithanthaya said, “When it comes to marriage, every individual’s deepest desire is to “arrange my own love marriage”. Shaadi.com understands this perfectly, and helps customers transform virtual matchmaking into a ‘Real’, delightful experience – detailed profile, multiple photos, video clips, live chat, etc. We have created trust by getting our customers to build Shaadi.com. Under our Continuous Improvement Program, we religiously listen to their requirements and systematically implement them. And sure enough, Shaadi.com is the world’s first matrimonial site to have an ISO 9001:2000 certification. Besides, our TRUSTe and VeriSign seals also attest the privacy and security of customer information.”
Brands
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail reshuffles top deck; Nikhil Modha to take over as CFO
Phased transition sees Marco Agnolin head OWND!, Nikhil Modha lined up as CFO as company readies next growth leg
MUMBAI: Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail is redrawing its leadership map, lining up a new generation of executives across key roles as it prepares for its next phase of growth.
The company has named Suraj Bahirwani as chief executive (designate) of Pantaloons, effective April 1, 2026, with a full transition to the top role slated for October 1, 2026. He will also be designated as senior managerial personnel.
A two-decade veteran of the Aditya Birla Group, Bahirwani joined as a group management trainee in 2002 and has since held a string of leadership roles across retail and manufacturing. His resume spans stints at Aditya Birla Retail, a tenure as chief operating officer of Pantaloons, and most recently, head of global sales at the group’s cellulosic fibres business, where he drove international expansion and strengthened value-added portfolios.
Academically, he holds a PhD from the University of Mumbai, a postgraduate management diploma from SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, and is a chartered accountant. Over the years, he has picked up multiple chairman’s awards, including distinguished achiever, exceptional contributor and accomplished leader.
The transition at Pantaloons will be staged. Incumbent chief executive Sangeeta Tanwani will continue until September 30, 2026, steering the handover before moving into an advisory role to the managing director from October 1, 2026. She is set to retire on January 31, 2027, at which point she will step down as whole-time director and key managerial personnel.
Alongside, the company has brought in Marco Agnolin as chief executive of OWND! and senior managerial personnel, effective April 6, 2026. Agnolin arrives with over three decades of global experience, having held senior roles at Inditex, where he helped expand Zara in Italy, and later served as chief executive of Bershka and Diesel. His track record spans fast fashion, brand turnarounds and youth-focused retail.
On the finance side, Nikhil Modha has been appointed chief financial officer (designate) and senior managerial personnel from April 1, 2026. He will assume full charge as chief financial officer and key managerial personnel from January 1, 2027.
Current chief financial officer Jagdish Bajaj will oversee a phased transition until December 31, 2026, before retiring and stepping down from his roles.
The reshuffle signals a calibrated succession plan rather than a sudden overhaul, with the company staggering exits and appointments to ensure continuity even as it refreshes leadership across verticals.
As Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail juggles legacy brands and new-age formats, the message is clear: steady hands for the present, sharper ones for the future—and no pause in the push for scale.
