Operation whitewash-Anuj Saxena

Archana's profile

I completed my Bachelors in Literature and have always loved kids and teaching English at a school was the next logical step after I graduated about six years ago.

I think interacting with kids teaches you something new about yourself every day and helps you stay in touch with your childlike side.

I read practically anything that's been written (Vikram Seth to J K Rowling), love listening to music (anything from Kishoreda to Indipop to classic rock), attempt writing fiction and poetry and have a penchant for exploring lesser-known locales.

In a partner, I look for someone who is level-headed yet impulsive, humorous yet dependable, stimulating yet affectionate. It's great to choose a partner who shares your passions and is on the same wavelength, right?
So, here I am.

Her verdict

Shaadi (Dark pic): 100 respondents
Viewed my profile: 1,444
Bharatmatrimony (Fair pic): 110
Viewed my profile: 607

The shaadi.com interface was more user-friendly than haratmatrimony.com. But…

The Shaadi team had lightened the photograph I uploaded (made me fairer). When I called the shaadi.com helpline, the customer service executive assured me that the tech team would upload my 'original' picture in a couple of hours.

The picture remains 'lightened'. When I called the portal's business head Vibhas Mehta, he mumbled a surprised, "I don't know how that happened! As per our policy, out photo team only crops images and adds a watermark."

My experience on the site revealed: there were a sizable number of profiles that specified 'fair' under the head complexion of the prospective bride. Some of the respondents even confirmed the veracity via chat.

Last word: Strangers (the prospective groom's family – near and distant) will bombard you with cell phone numbers and repeated reminders to get in touch, only if you pass the fairness agni pariksha. But if you are dark, the ladkewaale are "practical" enough to give you the "we can't get everything" refrain.

And another thing — my profile said I was a South Indian and skin tones range from the fair to the dark.

Moreover, my dark profile had been 'lightened' by the website and my experience says shaadi.com is more active than bharatmatrimony.

So the number of respondents and viewers on shaadi is not really indicative of the colour.

Bhairavi's profile

My work is an integral part of who I am and what I have come to believe. Silent-aggressive would be the best way to sum up my personality as a professional. Getting my priorities right, is the most important way to have a good work-life balance, and I strongly stand by the no-work-after-work-hours rule.

My interests span travelling and watching movies to reading books, as well as discussing advertising in our country, since I have been part of the advertising fraternity for the last four years.

Music is another passion, from Indi-rock to Bollywood and Pop rock — I listen to whatever pleases my ears. A partner who has similar interests, is hard-working, a self-made man, ambitious with a zest for life, would be the kind I imagine spending my life with.

Her verdict

Shaadi (Fair pic): 145 respondents
Viewed my profile: 1,171
Bharatmatrimony (Dark pic): 26
Viewed my profile: 136

On the first day, I saw a rush of requests from bachelors across the continent. Most left messages and requested for contact details. After the pictures were uploaded, the responses were on par on both websites for the first two days.

A week into the operation, the difference in respondents was visible — the fair profile had a whopping 150 prospective alliances, while my dark counterpart had just 26.

Last word: The partner preference section has zillions of people demanding "very fair", "fair" and "wheatish". Rarely do you find anyone inviting alliances from "dark" prospectives. Some members even presume that's what the "whole world" wants, and don't hesitate to admit it.

Arrey, colour is important, na!

This is what the chats threw up for both our dark and fair versions

Dark archana (Mallika)

'Cosmetics hai na'

Buunty: Colour ki chinta aap mat karo. Asian paints hai na. i mean cosmetics…

Mallika Kannan: I'm allergic to cosmetics… used a fairness cream once, got a rash... would u still b ok?

Buunty: Will tell if u can cal me. I want to know better about u. Cal me on 98********
(Wrote to me four times, pestering me with his phone number and e-mail id)

Fair archana

'U r very fair, right?'

Mallika: Btw, your profile says you're lookin for a girl with "fair"
complexion...

Sree: Yaa. but u r very fair right

Mallika: Ya, just confirming...

Sree: Ok, thanks

Mallika: So if i was wheatish/dark, we wouldn't be having this
conversation?

Sree: Yaa

(When I didn't seem interested, he tried to play matchmaker and pointed me to a doctor friend, who wanted a fair bride.)

Very fair bhairavi (Sasha)

'It's all human tendency'

Sasha23: Why does she need to have a fair complexion?

Oopsb: Everyone wants. one can't define. dont u want ur partner to be looking good

Sasha23: So if you are not fair, wud u still want a fair partner?

Oopsb: I'm not fair. that's why I want a girl of fair complexion. Aadmi ke paas jo nahin hota hai, usse hi pasand karta hai. It's all human tendency
(Wanted to know if I would be able to adjust in a small city, as he lives in one).

'I would avoid a dark girl'

Jatin: Can we chat on yahoo?

Sasha23: No I don't have yahoo

Jatin: Okies no issues

Sasha23: So u looking for a fair girl to marry, is it?

Jatin: No, no nothing like that. Depends upon personality of a gal

Sasha23: But a dark girl wud be avoided?

Jatin: Haan Haan … kind of yes.

(Wanted to chat again)

'U don't have to worry, u r very fair'

Sasha23: Is fair skin important to u, while choosing a partner?

KM: We should make a good pair Sasha!!

Sasha23: As in, since u r fair, in that sense?

KM: Yes

Sasha23: So a dark partner wud be a mismatch u mean?

KM: I dont have a fascination or such. a person who is wheatish would also be fine, but not completely dark

KM: But i dont think.. u gotta worrie.. u seem to be very fair
(Wanted to chat, call me)

Dark Bhairavi

Nobody wanted to chat with dark version