Rooted to traditions, casual sex remains a no-no

They may have been brought up on a diet of Americanisms, but scratch the surface and you'll realise that India's young still hangs on to the traditional values hard- wired in their DNA.

They may have been brought up on a diet of Americanisms, but scratch the surface and you'll realise that India's young still hangs on to the traditional values hard- wired in their DNA.

The biggest of them all: expecting your partner to be a virgin at the time of marriage. The young may be comfortable with a fling or two before they tie the knot, but marriage is still a sacred institution. "Relationships are transitional.

There is no social sanction needed to get into one or leave it," says 23-yearold Pramod Rane from Mumbai. Agrees Delhi's Zeeshan Siddiqui, 25: "Our marriages will always be between two families. I have also had relationships, but once I get married, it will be for keeps."

That, perhaps, explains why casual sex outside marriage is still a taboo. About 89% believe men who stray should not be forgiven. Only 36% women feel cheating should be reciprocated with cheating.