The happy couple, Samina and David, at their mehndi ceremony at Galimapur in Saran. Telegraph picture

Communications minister Kapil Sibal might be mulling guidelines to bar objectionable content on social networking sites. But David Marland and Samina cannot thank Facebook enough for uniting them in real life.

Eighteen months ago, David, a 49-year-old biomedicine scientist with the Royal Hospital in Manchester, UK, got to know Samina (39), a resident of Saran district, on the networking site. Samina is a teacher at Bangalore-based Alpine School. Regular chatting sessions not only helped the duo transcend the barriers of distance, cultures, religions and language, but also cemented their bond of love and friendship. Finally, the couple tied the knot at Galimapur, the bride’s native village, on Sunday.

The eldest of five siblings, Samina, stays in Bangalore with her brother. She said: “My love for David was pure and mature, not a teenage passion.” David also echoed the same feelings. He said Samina was mature and self-reliant. “Samina took her own decision without fearing possible resentment from her family and society. I am happy that Samina chose me as her life partner,” said David.

Both found each other compatible and took the final decision after David arrived in Bangalore early December. They had a court marriage in Bangalore on December 5. Salima said: “I wanted to marry with the consent and blessings of my family.” So the couple came down to her native village and maulana Imtiaz Ali of the local madarsa solemnised their marriage according to Islamic customs. David embraced Samina’s religion and was renamed Daud Marland.

The bridegroom paid a meher of Rs 21 lakh. David professed his love to learn Hindi.

“Indian culture is great,” he said. He enjoyed all the marriage rituals. Samina said she would leave for Bangalore on Thursday before heading for Manchester with David once her visa is confirmed. The entire village was curious to see and talk with David. Raman, a local youth, said: “I knew that Facebook was a platform for airing one’s views and carried information on job vacancies. I am surprised to know that it can lead to matrimonial alliances.” The villagers wished David and Samina a happy married life.