The feeling is irresistiblysurrealisticwhen we makeour way for a muchawaitedinterview into theclassy residence of Oil andNatural Gas Corporation(ONGC) Chairman and ManagingDirector RS Sharma situatedin the lush green environs of Khelgaon,New Delhi. So there we are, on a sultry Saturdayevening waiting at the tastefully done upliving room of the ONGC CMD's exquisite abodewhen wife Rashmi, decked up in a chic lemongreensari, accessorized with a smile walks in. Asshe chats up informally RS Sharma, looking dapperin his casual wear and exuding exuberance,makes his presence felt into the living room.
"Okay, so you are here to interview us forthe Perfect Couple column," he tells us, "but weare not the made-for-each-other' type couple,"he chuckles while looking at his wife, trying togauge her reaction after shooting that one-liner.Rashmi retorts quickly with a grin, "After 30years of marriage, now why will you feel thatwe are made for each other?" A roll of laughterfollows. While we enjoy the exchange of repartees,the couple breaks into a 'talk'athon withus, amidst giggles and guffaws.
While Rashmi is a starker picture of poisedmodesty, we realize that behind that razor-sharpexterior persona of the ONGC head, lies a softerone, rather a wittier one.
No wonder, the unspoken togetherness of thecouple rang loud all over. So, how did they meet?"Well, we have an interesting story to tell," enthusesSharma. "Our alliance was through amatrimonial column in the newspaper. I wasworking in the Union Bank of India then andshe was with the State Bank of India. Our firstmeeting, which was scheduled at her residenceon 5th July, 1980, was a stormy evening and itrained heavily," adds Sharma. Rashmi takesover the conversation and says with a child-likechuckle, "We had thought that he won't turn upand I sat on the verandah stairs enjoying thelovely drizzle. The next moment, I saw him on aVespa scooter, while his elder brother and sister-in-law got down from a motor cycle."
So did they like each other in the first meeting?"Yes," was the reply in unison. "The nextmeeting was also with family members at Standardrestaurant in Regal building, ConnaughtPlace, on 10th July, where we hit it off very welland on July 25th, we got engaged," Sharmabeamed. As we marvel the way the couple remembersthe important dates of their lives,Sharma interrupts into our thoughts and confesseswith a smile, "After our engagement, wehad a few secret meetings also, including watchinga movie together. On 12th October, we finallytied the nuptial knot."
In these 30 long years of togetherness, whatis the best part of their marriage? "People datebefore marriage and we started dating aftermarriage. We were in a joint family and it wasnot possible to spend much time together.Therefore, at times we started from home togetheron the motor bike in the name of going tooffice, and ended up spending the day roamingaround. And one day, we were caught by mybrother-in-law," says Rashmi with a heartylaugh. The ONGC honcho tells us, "We hadplanned our honeymoon at Kullu Manali, but Ifractured my leg the very next day after weddingand thus had to contend with staying togetherat the hotel at Badkhal Lake, Faridabad."
And what is the best thing they like abouteach other? "I like her simplicity and the wayshe has maintained the relations with my familyand hers. My schedule does not allow me toexercise my family's social commitments, butRashmi makes up for it. She has been a greatmother to Swati and Nayan. Rashmi warms upto the praise and responds, "The way he hasetched a mark of his own and scripted successstories is simply stupendous. He is a very warmperson with full of life and I was bowled by hissense of humour. Now he doesn't get time, buthe was like a livewire. Whether it was drivingdown to long getaways, or lightening up a dowith his presence, he did it all. He has been agreat husband and father." Sharma says that hiswife is his biggest support. "She even left herbanking job for the sake of my career. I was in adilemma about deciding whether I should resignmy cushy bank job in Delhi or accept theoffer of Head Finance at IRCC in Iraq. It was shewho encouraged me to move it and accept thischallenging job. Even when I wanted to joinONGC, it was Rashmi who supported me forjoining in Assam," he says.
So, we have this power couple who have putinto everything to make their togetherness unbeaten.Sharma sums it up well, "For me a successfulmarriage means falling in love, with thesame person." No wonder, the chemistry betweenthe Sharmas is undeniably mint-fresh asit was 30 years ago!
