In her hometown, she had been steadfastly observing a custom since her childhood: On every navami of Navratra, a group of “kanyas” (young women) and langurs were invited home. The housewife from Noida was nervous because in smaller towns, children gladly volunteered to become kanyas and langurs for the sake of festive tradition. So, the homemaker was glad to see nine kanyas and an equal number of “langurs” at the designated time. “Aapatkale maryada naasty”—in times of emergency, you cannot always strictly follow family traditions, her father used to tell her. Those debating national security, the martyrdom of our soldiers, GDP growth, repo rate and urbanization often forget that in order to secure our borders forever, it is essential to bridge the gulf of economic inequality.

Source: Mint October 23, 2016 19:07 UTC