Zohran Mamdani met his wife Rama Duwaji on a dating app; A reminder that you too can get over the sulk and give it a try?

Zohran Mamdani with his wife Rama Duwaji (Picture Credit: Instagram)

You can find love anywhere, in the most unexpected ways and all you need to do is hold onto it once you find it. Newly elect mayor of NYC Zohran Mamdani is married to illustrator and animator Rama Duwaji. Here's the interesting part: The two of them met on a dating app. Yes! Some of you who berate these apps for ruining your mental peace, but they actually work. For some, at least. Mamdani too had mentioned in one of his interviews, "There is still hope in those dating apps."

The typical journey one goes through on a dating app can prove to be draining for some. Swiping left and right through a slew of profiles, trying to strike a conversation with different people, opening up to people about who you are and what your interests are like, setting up a date, trying to keep the momentum going - all of this can overwhelm a person, especially if someone has had bad experiences before. The result? Deleting the app in sheer frustration.

Irrespective of how your experience has been on a dating app, one thing that can be said about these apps is they do offer a great platform to connect with people from any part of the world and find love. Mamdani found his love. You too can, but again there's no guarantee.

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Moneycontrol's team spoke to relationship expert Ruchi Ruuh to understand what mindset one needs to have when signing up on a dating app. She has listed below some points that one must always bear in mind.

Know what you’re looking for
Ruuh explained that the important thing is to be honest with yourself. When you're your truest self on these apps, you will automatically filter out a lot of connections. There are many who look for casual relationships and some are there simply to explore connections. So, having clarity helps save time and emotional energy.

Curate with authenticity
Use pictures and prompts that genuinely reflect your personality, not what you think will get the most right swipes. Authenticity attracts compatible matches faster than perfection ever will, she said.

Take breaks to avoid burnout
App fatigue is real. If you find yourself swiping mindlessly, step away for a bit. Dating apps are a way to meet new people, but you must not drift away from your real objective.

Be curious
It’s easy to get disappointed after a few dull conversations or ghosting experiences. However, the key is remain curious and ask questions to keep the conversations more alive.

Match is not a connection yet
A match only opens the door, it doesn’t guarantee chemistry. Focus on meaningful conversation instead of counting matches or replies.

Goal is to meet
If conversations flow well, set up a call or meet for a coffee. Staying stuck in chat mode can make things feels stagnant. Real chemistry can be only understood when two people interact in person.

Remember, rejection works both ways
Not everyone will match and stay, and that’s okay. Instead of internalizing it, remind yourself that dating is a process of selecting each other mutually.

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FAQs on why finding love on dating apps doesn't work for some people:

Why don’t I get matches even though I’m active?
Your profile photos, bio, or prompts might not showcase your personality clearly — or your preferences may be too narrow.

Why do my conversations fizzle out?
Many users multitask or lose interest quickly; engaging, genuine questions help keep chats alive.

Why do I only meet people who want something casual?
Some apps attract more short-term users — try platforms or filters geared toward serious relationships.

Why do people ghost me after great chats?
Ghosting is common online; it often says more about the other person’s maturity or timing than about you.

Why does dating online feel exhausting?
Swiping fatigue is real — taking breaks and setting realistic expectations can make the process healthier.