Pune: Excessive use of mobile phones and social media is becoming a major source of tension in many marriages, with some couples finding themselves on the verge of divorce due to the time spent on their devices.
This growing trend has even affected family dynamics, leaving children caught in the middle. In a heartening development, one such couple from Pune, after five years of separation, has reconciled and withdrawn their legal disputes against each other, agreeing to limit their use of mobile phones in an effort to rebuild their relationship.
Aniket and Pooja (names changed), both holding high-ranking positions in an international company, were married in a grand ceremony in 2018. However, soon after their marriage, they found themselves spending more time on their mobile phones and social media than with each other.
Pooja would often be engrossed in social media while Aniket, too, would frequently be busy on his phone after returning from work. This pattern of mobile addiction, coupled with other domestic issues, led to heated arguments between them in 2019, forcing Pooja to leave for her parents' home while she was seven months pregnant.
Despite giving birth to their daughter at her parents' home, the disputes between the couple persisted. Pooja eventually filed a case against Aniket under the Domestic Violence Act, further complicating their already strained relationship.
During court hearings, Advocate Vaibhav Dhyagude-Patil, who represented Pooja, became empathetic to the plight of the couple’s young daughter. He realized that the child deserved the love and care of both her parents, and thus began the process of mediating between Aniket and Pooja.
With the help of fellow lawyers, Sandeep Kudte, Pratiksha Kamble, and Vivek Shere, a year-long counseling program was initiated to help the couple address their issues.
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, they not only reunited but also withdrew all legal cases against each other. They have now committed to limiting their use of mobile phones to ensure that they can focus on their family life.
The reconciliation has brought immense joy to their five-year-old daughter, who had been living with her maternal grandparents since birth. Advocate Dhyagude-Patil remarked, "This case highlighted how important it is for couples to address issues like mobile addiction and how, with understanding and support, reconciliation is possible."
