THEY WERE ONCE A PRIZED CATCH; NON RESIDENT INDIAN, OR N-R-I, GROOMS.

MEN WHO HAD STUDIED HARD, GOT TOP JOBS IN THE WEST, AND EARNED BIG BUCKS.

MANY INDIAN WOMEN WANTED TO MARRY THEM.

Yeah. I hate to say it, but the NRI man seems to be out of favor with Indian women.

GAURAV RAKSHIT IS WITH SHAADI.COM, A POPULAR MATRIMONIAL SEARCH ENGINE USED BY AROUND 14 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, PREDOMINATELY SOUTH ASIANS.

Certainly, what's happened during this recession period is there are less women indicating a preference for NRI men on our site.  We see anywhere between a 20 to 30 percent drop off in demand.

WHY? WE ASK THE GUPTAS, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A SUITABLE MATCH FOR 23 YEAR OLD SHWETA.

Many Indians working abroad have come back, due to this recession hitting foreign countries more. And I don't think recession has affected India that much. In fact, I have observed the fact that jobs have increased in India, so I would prefer my man to be from India.

Ya, suppose there is no job security, then again he would have to come to India and then again find a job for himself, so I would prefer both of them to be here itself.

SO N-R-I'S ARE OUT -- WHO'S IN?

WELL, GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES.

SHAADI.COM SAYS DEMAND IS UP AROUND 45 PERCENT SINCE LAST YEAR.

ALSO IN FAVOR - WORKING WIVES.

AGAIN A DEPARTURE FROM TRADITION, WHEN MANY MEN CHOSE WOMEN WHO DID NOT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME.

27 YEAR OLD ANISH SAPRA HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A BRIDE FOR AROUND TEN MONTHS.

It will be a help, more than a help to have a working partner, not only because of financial reasons but in other fields also.

AN EARNING WIFE COULD HELP PAY FOR THE WEDDING TOO.

INDIAN MARRIAGES ARE TYPICALLY LARGE AND FLAMBOYANT AFFAIRS, THOUGH THE SLOWDOWN MEANS THEY ARE SOMEWHAT SUBDUED THESE DAYS.

BUT SHWETA HAS NO INTENTIONS OF STINTING HERSELF.

SHE'S HOLDING OUT FOR A GRAND, FUN FILLED CELEBRATION.

SHE JUST HAS TO FIND MR RIGHT.

MALLIKA KAPUR, CNN, MUMBAI.