Jab They Met: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Seema Naqvi

New Delhi: Exactly 30 years back in 1983, the month of June saw the whole of India erupt in joy to witness the legendary victory of its team in World Cup cricket. But the universe was parallely planning to make an eternal love story come true.Everything happens for a reason and in this story, let the reason be love. Love was what made two people hailing from two entirely different religions fall in love with each other.Their togetherness is ceaseless and their love is immortal but witnessing such an immense intensity there are multiple questions which arise in one's mind.Seema Naqvi Where did it begin? How did it happen? Who approached first? What hurdles came in etc.Surprisingly, the love story of vice-president of Bharatiya Janata Party and his beloved wife Seema seems to be just out of a Bollywood movie.Mukhtar with wife Seema The walls of Allahabad University were mute witnesses when the classic love tale of Mukhtar Abbas and Seema was in its initial phase."Chalte chalte yuhin koi mil gaya tha, sare rah chalte chalte'' is how Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi describes his love fable from the film Paakeeza, and as he says , words are not enough to explain how the couple felt when they saw each other for the first time. Mukhtar with wife SeemaOn one side Naqvi had marvelous leadership qualities, and on the other side, Seema was a complete introvert and did not prefer entering into conversations with boys. Two complete opposites yet their love found a way.It was the year 1982 which saw these two completely different people getting closer and becoming inseparable.Mukhtar Abbas NaqviNaqvi was a straightforward person. His thoughts knew no limitations of words and his forthright attitude was what made Seema fall in love with him.Both developed a fondness for each other and soon they had their futures planned together.Seema NaqviBut no love story is complete without few hitches and glitches. And in this fable, the interruptions were some serious ones. Seema hailed from a Hindu family and Naqvi was a Muslim. Also, at that time Naqvi was still studying and did not have a sound financial backing on which Seema's family could rely enough.Mukhtar with wife SeemaOn learning about Seema and Naqvi's relationship, Seema's mother was in a complete denial mode. Restrictions were imposed on Seema and her meetings with Naqvi were asked to be curtailed.But as they say "lovers are liars". Seema started making excuses to go out and meet Naqvi frequently. She went to meet him in the name of attending her extra classes.Mukhtar with wife SeemaAdamant overt their decision, Naqvi and Seema sought ways to convince their families but did not achieve any fruitful results for long. Finally, after a prolonged wait, Seema's mother gave them a ray of hope. On realizing her daughter's immense love for Naqvi, she gave a nod to the relationship.On June 3, 1983, Mukhtar and Seema got married in three different ways. First, the court marriage took place and then Nikaah and Hindu rituals followed.Mukhtar with wife SeemaSeema's fears of getting introduced into an entirely new culture and religion completely vanished when a tremendous amount of comfort level was showered on her by her new family.Within no time not only was she able to gel with her new world but also she received a lot of care and affection from her in-laws.Mukhtar with wife Seema"Ek moment ke liye bhi mujhe ye feeling nahi aayi ki main different religion mein hu" (not even for a moment I felt that I was in a different religion), says Seema making their magnificent chemistry more evident.Blessed with a son, Arshad, the couple is a splendid example of secularism. Be it Diwali or be it Eid, the Naqvi residence witnesses extreme enthusiasm on every festival."He is a perfect husband, a perfect father and a perfect person", says Seema and the perfection in their relationship can be marked by looking at their three decade long beautiful and delightful journey together.Let's have a look at some of the most interesting photographs of Mukhtat Abbas Naqvi, Seema Naqvi and their family:Mukhtar with wife SeemaMukhtar and Seema with Dev AnandMukhtar and Seema with Advani at the wedding of their sonMukhtar and Seema at the wedding of their sonMukhtar and Seema at the wedding of their sonMukhtar during his younger daysMukhtar during his younger days