MANISH Koshal, otherwise one of the most eligible bachelors in the country, has become one icon of matrimonial matchmakers in the country over the last seven years. He is one of the three directors matrimonial services thoughtfully named the "Sycorian" or the white elephant------the sacred symbol of Lord Buddha, peace and bliss, which are the main principles of a good marriage. The other two were an unmarried young and a single woman, who were, auspiciously enough among the first to get married and are a very happy couple. But Manish, the third director, still maintains his bachelor status.

Handsome, good natured, soft spoken, son of a well-known army officer, Manish certainly does not intend to stay a bachelor all his life. But he seems to be still looking for the day and the girl, when he finally meets the one who is made just for him.

Sycorex, established some years ago in the Safdar Jang Enclave area of New Delhi, is now more than 5,000 successful matrimonial matches old and has plans to expand into the first national and matrimonial service launched from India. Of the 5000 old matches made through Sycorian, only two were reported to have fallen through but even those two couple, separated for reasons strictly of personal and family origins, are said to have registered again individually with the Sycorian for finding more suitable matches.

A visit to the Sycorian office by The Day After Think Tank team of Editor-in-Chief Sunil Dang and Executive Director Yogendra Bali, was surprised by its cosy atmosphere before taking the interview of Manish Koshal------ a very friendly and vibrant man who has already made a success of many enterprises before entering the matrimonial services.

When asked why did he decide to enter the very unusual business of matrimonial services, his reason was that he identified it as a sector which had not yet been formalised and not even regularised like other sectors. When a child is born, his birth is formalised, when he grows a little his kindergarten school is formalised, when he grows further his going to college is formalised and regularised and then a job too is formalised and regularised, but when it comes to marriage, it is not really and properly formalised. Manish says, "Let us do something which would benefit the young sections of society. Our motto is that though marriages are made in heaven, Sycorian certainly makes matchmaking sensible and problem-free. Computer and the faith in lucky stars and gods, all go together in Sycorian work." Replying to a personal question about how his parents viewed the business of finding a bride for him and had they consulted pundits and got a janam kundali made for him, he said with a smile, "Let me tell you a very personal thing. I am yet to be married."