A personal tragedy inspired Ravinder Singh to write. At 26, he lost his girlfriend in a car accident, leading to the cathartic creation of his debut novel, 'I Too Had a Love Story.' 'I guess I was so much in love that I wanted to immortalise her through my writing,' he recalls. 'Even then, I hadn't thought I would continue as an author, but the love from my readers pushed me to give them more.' Over a decade and a half, Ravinder has penned numerous bestselling love stories. However, his most significant contribution to romance might be 'Let’s Socialize,' a singles meet-up forum that brings like-minded individuals together in person before transitioning to the digital world.
Ravinder is set to host the Dubai chapter of 'Let’s Socialize' on December 7 at Yara Cafe, Palm Strip Mall, Jumeirah. The idea germinated during the pandemic when people were isolated. 'I felt lonelier because everyone had shut their doors on each other. I saw people craving love and warmth, leading to depression and many adopting pets,' he explains. Societal changes, including more single people due to later marriages and more acceptable breakups and divorces, prompted Ravinder to encourage real-world meetings. 'Dating apps often disappoint. People look perfect online but are different in real life. Fake profiles add to the challenge,' he says. In contrast, singles meet-ups offer genuine interactions, especially in a city like Dubai where many young people live.
Technology was meant to simplify life, but in matters of the heart, it has made us semi-robotic. 'Women are underwhelmed by the quality of men, and men are overwhelmed by the quantity. Dating apps don’t solve the problem. It’s better to revert to the 90s when people met in person first,' Ravinder suggests. He has hosted such meet-ups in Toronto, London, Dubai, and various Indian cities. 'Women trust me due to my romance novels over the past decade and a half,' he notes. Ravinder’s efforts to foster partnerships coincide with global re-evaluations of relationships. A faster pace of life and women thriving at work necessitate new forms of togetherness. Some embrace single life, but many face loneliness unintentionally. 'People often put up a brave front to avoid pity, but deep down, they want a relationship. Very few find happiness in singlehood,' he observes.
Love can feel like navigating a maze for those seeking more from life. 'Love is simple, but couples who are in love and in a relationship are lucky. Many fall out of love but stay in the relationship,' Ravinder says. His own experience with loss taught him that grief is personal. 'Healing begins with acceptance. After losing my first girlfriend, writing my first book helped me recover. Others might find solace in different goals, like setting up a new Instagram account,' he advises. Ravinder doesn’t believe Gen-Z is more pragmatic in love. 'Each generation has different expectations and experiences heartbreak differently. New terms like situationship or backgrounding explain actions and reactions from two decades ago. Gen-Z seeks clarity, which is positive. Fundamentally, love remains the same,' he concludes.
Currently, 'Let’s Socialize' targets the South Asian community, but Ravinder plans to diversify. The Indian diaspora’s mindset varies worldwide, influencing cultural engagement in finding companions. 'In London, second-generation Indians wanted to date white people and be accepted as international. They were cold towards first-generation Indians. Culture plays a crucial role in finding a companion,' he notes. Love, however, is meant to transcend cultural barriers.
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