Gold-plated, not convinced (yet)

Metal is metal, for some — it's 24 karats; for others, it’s a guitar riff turned all the way up,

- writes Krita Coelho

There's a certain shimmer in the air this time of year, and no, it's not just the Dubai sun bouncing off windshields. It's the collective Indian consciousness gearing up for Akshaya Tritiya. Every year, this auspicious day rolls in like clockwork, bringing with it an irresistible urge — across generations, budgets, and belief systems — to buy gold.

I didn't grow up observing Akshaya Tritiya in the traditional sense. But as an Indian, I'm genetically wired to understand the cultural reverence for gold. It's not just a metal. It's not even just jewellery. It's an emotion, a lifestyle, a personality trait. Gold doesn't go out of style, it just goes into the locker until it's time to fund a wedding or renovate a kitchen.