Ronni and Feroza - an "Arranged" Marriage?

Hootoksi Tyabji, New Delhi, 1976

It was January 1972, soon after we were married, when Robert whisked me off to Switzerland to introduce me to the Swiss side of his family.

We arrived in Zurich and stayed with Uncle Dolf (mum Alice’s brother) and his wonderful wife Tante Erna. We were taken around and introduced to mum’s sister Tante Heidi and her husband Carlo and to nephews, nieces and cousins scattered all over Switzerland. I was welcomed warmly and made to feel part of the family right away!

Over the years our relationship with Uncle Dolf, Tante Erna and their son Ronnie evolved into a very special one filled with love and mutual admiration. On that first visit to Switzerland, cousin Ronnie, 21 at the time, was nowhere to be seen, and we were told in conspiratorial whispers that he was home, but locked in his room sulking, while nursing a broken heart. When he did eventually emerge, it was clear he was in no mood to chat or visit the hot spots of Zurich, but when my pestering became unbearable he threw me the ultimate challenge - "Well, fine, but why don’t you find me a nice Indian girl like you to go out with?"

He’d underestimated my resourcefulness and none of us could have known where that flippant remark would lead him, but I am delighted to report that it led him to a lifetime of happiness!

It just so happened that my cousin Feroza, having graduated from high school in Bombay, was holidaying with our aunt Roshan in Zug. I called Roshan to ask if Feroza could join us on a night out, and after putting me through the first degree with her questions, (who was this Ronnie, what did he do, was he a "good boy", where would Feroza be going, when would she be back etc. etc.) she rather reluctantly said "Well alright, but be sure to be back by 11."

Ronni was smitten and kept in touch with Feroza after she returned home to Bombay. 5-1/2 years later they were married in Switzerland (8 October 1977) and a year later (November 1978) moved to Hong Kong for a few years where Ronnie worked for Kuoni Travels.

They moved back to Switzerland after their second child was born. They have two boys, Dario (25), and Fabian (22). In November 2008, we were delighted to have them with us in Shah Alam on our turf for the first time since that historic "arranged meeting" 36 years ago!'

Update 2020

Dario and Eva got married in Zurich on 14 April 2020. Their son Nilay Emil Gimmi was born on 17 August 2020. Here are some photos, including one of the sleeping giants.

Ronni and Nilay Emil