Navigating ‘we are like that only’ India

Last week, the “when exactly is Diwali” confusion swept through many parts of the country, with the ‘Amavasya that marks the main day spilling into two calendar days.

- RAMA BIJAPURKAR

A charming Diwali greetings video from the French embassy (though who can be sure these days of the provenance of anything digital) was a humorous take on this, with the suggestion that both daysbe celebration daysand the chief of mission saying “whether it’s on the 20* or 21st of October, the lights of Diwali always shine bright”.

‘This columnist, who has been trying to explain India to overseas companies forages —that “wearelikethat only, deal with it”— was pleasantly surprised and gratified to see the world adjusting to us. Decades ago, a visiting chief executive office ofa global children’s entertainment company had asked, “When do children come home from school in India?” Andas he heard the “it all depends” answer, he snapped, “Surely thatisasimple question toanswer simply.”

Amanager of asmall farm in rural Maharashtra said he needed to take a loan of two lakh to pay for his son’s wedding. When asked why the girl’s side was notthe one spending, asis the usual Indian custom, he said, “Aaj kal paise ke bina log ladki dene kotaiyaarnahin haini.” When quizzed further about this reversal of convention, he asked, “Where arethe girls nowadays?” The sex ratio at birth in Maharashtrain 2001-03 was an average of 883 and 879 in 200406, so the cohort of marriageable age is facing a shortage of girls.