After Whatsapp, its LoveApp: Tinder & Grindr

By Ridham Gambhir

With apps like Shaadi.com and Jeevansaathi, finding a prospective life partner became easy and well facilitated. But who knew that apps such as Tinder and Grindr would emanate and make dating an experience similar to shopping on Flipkart or Myntra? Search for what you like, swipe right and left and get interesting recommendations from the app itself.

Tinder, a social networking app was initially released in 2012. This 'swipe app' enables its users to swipe right on a photo for a potentially good match and left, so as to move to the next one.

The online dating app was a huge trend in UK and the US but now it has takers in India too. A sign of our emancipating nature, maybe? The app is authenticated with Facebook login and Instagram account. Users add a short description about themselves, upload a few photos and mutual friends between a user and his/her potential match is also listed.

In order to give homosexuality place in an otherwise hetero-normative society, there is Grinder,

a dating app for homosexual and bi-sexual people. The easy availability and free sign-up have made them widely accessible as well as acceptable.

With Facebook, users have to maintain a certain 'personality' and dignity in accordance with the friends they have in their profile. Moreover, that site is not 'hook-up oriented' while Tinder is. People who join Tinder, do it with the sole motto of finding' 'true love' or a probable partner. Such an e-version of 'love' has given people experience that is cherished by some and detested by others.

"When I first heard of it, it seemed funny to me. How can somebody find love photos and a small description. But little did I know, that I would find my love through this app. The idea of meeting someone totally unknown to you, does seem dangerous but then one chance is worth it." says Viraj Pandey, a 21-yr old male from Delhi.

With true love a few clicks, rather a few "swipes" away, some have had a bad experience too. Ayesha

Kaul, a 23-yr old girl from Noida, was shocked to meet her date, who had claimed to be unmarried but was married and a father of a boy.

Such applications do not guarantee love, but surely an experience one would remember all their lives. After all, going on a not-so-blind date might be a good idea!