I am a 27-year-old independent and loving Punjabi girl. I am in love with a Hindu guy who is two years older than me.

We have been together for three years. He is fun loving, good-hearted and sweet. He has all the qualities I want in a guy.

My parents are against this relationship. They want me to settle for an arranged marriage but I want to marry my sweetheart.

They say if I marry a guy of a different religion, it will bring shame to the family.

Why can’t they think about my happiness? This is not fair. I have not committed any crime.

Madly In Love

THIS should not be happening in 1Malaysia! Your parents are not listening, so you have no choice unless you are prepared to defy their wishes and marry the man you want.

Talk to your guy. Marrying against parents’ wishes brings tension, pressure and the occasional regret to the relationship.

When you have a fight, you will feel that you have sacrificed too much for him. It will not be fun for him either when you are unhappy and emotionally affected.

But bigotry is archaic and unacceptabble. If you dare to marry your sweetheart, you must have the courage to beat the odds and brave the battles ahead.