Kolumbus: Uniting Souls, Building Community
Kolumbus began not just as a business, but as a passion project inspired by a profound social need and my family.
Kolumbus began not just as a business, but as a passion project inspired by a profound social need and my family.
The model for Kolumbus was my uncle, Dr. Vijay Khandekar, who founded the highly successful Kolumbus Marriage Bureau in Pune in the late 1970s. Witnessing the immense community impact—seeing individuals and families arrive with "tears of joy" after finding their perfect match—left an indelible mark on me. After settling in London in the early 1990s, my uncle requested and encouraged me to establish his overseas branch. Despite initial reservations from my husband, who viewed it as an "outdated aajibai’s social work," the idea persisted because I instinctively knew it was a social necessity, particularly for the NRI community. My first advertisement in the Maharashtra Mandal London's brochure was met with an overwhelming response, validating my instincts.
For me, success is the greatest motivator. The first international alliance I arranged, for my husband’s colleague’s son, was a grand celebration in Pune. Being introduced as the match-maker and seeing the happiness I created, cemented my resolve. Profiles began flowing in automatically through word-of-mouth, and there has been no looking back since. I firmly believe that every entrepreneur must have deep faith in the value of their work.
Finding a life partner is a global challenge, and it's exacerbated for high-achieving individuals and those living away from home. In today’s world of fulfilling careers and remote working, socialisation is reduced, and the opportunity to meet suitable partners is scarce. It is also true that friends and relatives respect the privacy of the younger generation and refrain from interfering in their personal lives.
Loneliness is a universal affliction, and it is my privilege to be able to help solve this problem by bringing people together. Uniting two souls is a priceless job that provides me with ultimate satisfaction.