A Christian co-worker in Janata Bazaar introduced me to a family from my own community who was friends with her husband. The girl had lost her father recently and as per custom she had to be married within a year. The co-worker tried to play the matchmaker and suggested I visit the girl’s home. I visited the girl’s house in Hosaguddadahalli. I liked Shylaja at the first sight. Within no time, the wedding was fixed.

She wrote the last exam paper of 2nd PUC on May 23 and our wedding was on May 25. She had requested that she be allowed to complete B.Com degree after marriage. But later, she sacrificed all her dreams to become the support and pillar of my political journey.