It is not neat. It is not quiet. It is not private. But it is alive.
The that emerge from these homes are tales of extreme sacrifice wrapped in sarcastic humor. It is the father who rides a bicycle so his daughter can afford a taxi. It is the mother who eats less so the children get the last piece of chicken. It is the sibling who fights with you over the window seat but defends you against the world. It is not neat
Hunger strikes at 6:00 PM. This is chai time again, but this time with pakoras (fried fritters) or biscuits (specifically the yellow packet of "Parle-G"). The TV blares with soap operas where long-lost twins reunite dramatically, or cricket matches where the nation holds its breath. But it is alive