Aditi was brimming with enthusiasm since the start of October. The festive season was here, enveloping everyone in a vibrant joyous mood marking the beginning of colourful celebrations. It meant visits to the garments shop to buy new clothes, making trips to her favourite relative’s homes and playing with her cousins till they all drop, and of course, the lovely, aromatic, lip-smacking food delicacies. Her favourite month of the year was October, she had decided last year and declared to her parents as well. Her parents were surprised that she picked October as the best month, ahead of her birthday month which was September. But Aditi’s logic was that, as she was born on Sep 30th, it still was closest to October. Call it two birds with one stone! While the nine-year-old was excited about the gala around the festive season, she most looked forward to the Dussehra festival, or Navaratri as it is called in Tamil Nadu. Navaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated on a grand scale for nine nights dedicated to the goddess Durga in her various forms. Golu is an important and deep-rooted custom during the festival in the south Indian states, especially Tamil Nadu. The word "Golu" refers to the age-old tradition where families exhibit their collection of various dolls and figurines during the nine days of Navaratri. Aditi was five years old when she first understood all the hullaballoo around Navaratri. During the Navaratri period, she used to see her family members right from her great-grandmother get together and arrange the dolls and figurines on shelves. The shelves are supposed to be in odd numbers i.e. 3, 5, 7, 9, etc. Once the steps are set up, the family members bring down the prized possession of dolls and figurines from the lofts and under the cots. The dolls and figurines depict gods and goddesses in multiple forms, various animals, and people in everyday life. The top step often features the big idols of deities, particularly goddesses like Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Durga. The remaining steps consist of a diverse collection of dolls of gods and goddesses. Dolls are passed down from one generation to another, while it is customary to buy a few new dolls each year.  For the five-year-old, the most exciting aspect was the dolls that depicted everyday life. These were kept on the floor around the doll steps. There was a set-up of a classroom with benches, students, a blackboard, and a teacher wearing spectacles. There was one doll set of a village depicting everyday life, farming activities, and cattle with such beautiful and intricate details. There was one set where four ladies were sitting side-by-side selling vegetables, fruits, fish, and handicrafts at a market. This set especially had the finest details captured wonderfully right from their skin colour, the way they tie their saree, and how they sit on the ground when selling. There was also one of a group of boys playing cricket and a colourful swimming pool set complete with a diving board. “Aditi, the dolls are fragile and breakable. They aren’t like your Barbies that can be handled casually.” Her father, Raghu, had told her during her first Golu when she was active and was walking around and taking an interest in the dolls. “Sure, Appa. I love them. I won’t break them.” Aditi replied dutifully and truthfully. “Are you sure? You are sometimes careless with your toys.” Raghu challenged her.  “That is because they are mine. But these dolls are owned by Paati (Paati) and Periya Patti (Great Paati). I know it is special for them and some of the dolls are from their childhood. So I won’t break them, Appa. I promise. Also am a big girl now, I am five years old.” Aditi assured him, cuteness personified. Raghu had scooped her up in his arms and into a bear hug.  “Tell me about your Golu, Appa” asked Aditi. “I have told this many times, not againnnnn….” whined Raghu playfully. “Please Appa. I love listening to that story any number of times” said Aditi with the cute expression she uses every time she wanted to get something from Raghu.  Raghu smiled and knew that he wilfully loses to that expression each time.  “It was in the 1990s that I first got exposed to the concept of Golu. From a big joint family, we had just gone nuclear. My parents, sister, and I, moved into an apartment that was right next door to one of our favourite aunts. She was a huge fan of Golu and had a grand set-up each time. The apartment complex had more than one hundred apartments and Golu was much looked forward to by elders and children alike.” “During those days Golu coincided with the school vacations post the quarterly exams. Hence my sister Gayathri and I used to get plenty of time to plan the Golu along with my aunt. We used to spend one entire day arranging the Golu at her place. As she didn’t have children of her own, she adored us and showered us with love. Even though we were kids she trusted us to handle the dolls and left the park, and other ground sets planning to us.” “This triggered a big interest in Golu in my sister and me and we begged, cried, and cajoled our parents to get our setup at our home. It was a dream come true moment. Unpacking our dolls and arranging them, inviting people home, and the pride in our faces when we showed off our Golu, was invaluable.” Raghu was lost in the down-memory lane moment for a bit and then continued.  “The major event used to be visiting the houses of friends and relatives to see their Golu. More than looking at the dolls, it was an occasion to catch up and meet lots of people. I looked forward to meeting them.” continued Raghu. “Aditi, ask Appa if he went to meet the relatives or for the gifts.” Suja said without taking her eyes off the laptop she was working on. Aditi looked in the direction of her mother’s voice and then back to Raghu. “This is a new twist, Appa. What is Amma saying about gifts?” she asked him. Raghu rolled his eyes accepting defeat. “Ok I agree. I went mostly for the gifts that they gave away. It is a beautiful tradition during Golu. When we visit a house, they would first give us sweets, savouries, and some fruit juice accompanied obviously by the sundal (made with several types of lentils, kidney beans, or groundnut with some amazing garnishing) of the day. Mostly the girl children or women visiting would be asked to sing devotional songs. Those who knew to sing would oblige.” “Aditi…” the voice said while the eyes were glued to the laptop. “Ask Appa about who would sing.” Aditi looked at Raghu questioningly.  “Stop it, Suja. This is embarrassing.” said Raghu. “Then I want to know all about it.” said Aditi gleefully. “Alright, when we used to visit these places with our aunt, I used to sing sometimes as my sister Gayathri was very shy.” “Lots of times!” said Suja  “Yes, lots of times.” accepted Raghu. “And sometimes without even the host asking.” Suja said this, looked up from the laptop and winked at Raghu. “Yes, ok sometimes without them asking” grumbled Raghu.  Aditi was rolling in laughter. “Appa this is so funny. I can’t imagine you singing in every Golu to ensure they give you sundal and sweets” “It was not only for that. They used to give pencils, erasers, and sharpeners too.” Raghu blurted out and bit his lip. “What?? Were you that crazy about pencils and other stationery?” Aditi was laughing louder. Raghu’s expression turned serious. “You won’t understand it, Aditi. You have two pouches full of daily stationery that you take to school. You have a cupboard dedicated to stationary items which has multiple quantities of the same item. So you won’t understand that we didn’t have an endless supply of stationery. We used what we had diligently and cautiously. If we lost a pencil at school, we used to search for it frantically and dread going home, because we knew we were about to be taken to task. You won’t understand we didn’t have pocket money to buy what we wanted and used to feel bad asking our parents for things which we frankly aren’t sure how they managed to provide for.” reminisced Raghu. There was a minute of silence as Aditi stared at Raghu who was lost in thoughts. She then said, “I shall thank Paati on your behalf for taking good care of you and I shall share my stationery with you Appa.” “I love you, Aditi” Raghu scooped her up in his arms. She got down to the floor from his arms and said, “I shall share stationary with you so that you don’t have to sing for pencils anymore.” She said this and ran towards her study room. Raghu shouted, “You little brat, you have asked for it today” and chased her playfully. Suja smiled to herself at the scene and Aditi’s cheekiness. That’s one little kid whose maturity and humour are beyond her years.  *** It was 7 PM the next day when Raghu entered home after work. He immediately sensed the mood of the house wasn’t desirable. Aditi was in a chair in a corner with her legs curled under her, head bowed, and eyes closed. This was her position when she was upset with something or when she had to have her way, and someone wasn’t letting her have it.  He turned to look at Suja who was on her laptop as it was her work-from-home day. He whispered her name. She turned and signalled to indicate she wasn’t involved in this and was out of it. He realised this wasn’t one of those Aditi-Suja Kurukshetra episodes. Who else could it be? His mother and grandmother were both absent in the drawing room. Normally during this time, they would be glued to the TV with either mega serials or one of those spiritual channels. It was a medical miracle that they weren’t around. But he knew with the scene setting in front of him, this was no medical miracle, but one of Aditi’s special spectacles. He turned to Suja again. “Where are Amma and Paati?” he whispered. She acted like she didn’t hear him. He wanted to someone’s version of the events first before hearing from Aditi. The moment she realises he is home, and starts making her case, he knew the judgement would go only one way.  He whispered to Suja again, “Help me please. What happened? Where are Amma and Paati? What happened? Why is Aditi upset?” She just pointed up with her fingers. Raghu was shocked.  “Amma and Paati are on the terrace??” he asked in a louder whisper with the shock obvious in his face and voice. This was a day of miracles! Any amount of advice from the doctors, couldn’t get Amma and Paati to the terrace for even a leisure walk. There should have been some apocalyptic event for them to have climbed even the one flight of stairs to the terrace.  A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush is how the proverb went. But in this case, the two women on the terrace are easier to manage than the one curled up on the chair. He retraced his steps back through the main door and went up to the terrace. As he entered the terrace, he heard voices. “Let him come today. Let us see who wins. The little brat can’t have her way always.” said Amma. “This is decades of tradition we are talking about. What does she mean by such thoughts,” said Paati.  “Let him support her this time and he would get it from me. Unacceptable.” Amma again. “If he agrees to her demands, I am going to the orphanage.” said Paati. Raghu burst out laughing and said “It is not called orphanage, Paati. It is called an old age home.” They both turned to look at him. “So, you are ready to send us?” “Of course not. Now someone tell me what is going on?” pleaded Raghu. “Why are you asking us? You didn’t get an update from your principal and vice-principal downstairs?” Paati teased him.  “I am tired, Amma. I came home thinking I could have tasty sundal. But all I am getting is this kindal (teasing in Tamil).” Said Raghu. “Sorry, Raghu! but this time Aditi’s tantrums have gone beyond limits. We won’t have our tradition belittled.” said Raghu’s amma sternly. “I am not taking anyone's side, Amma. But I need to know what happened. What is the cause of this mood at home? I know it is something serious as it has made you two stars to come to the terrace to see the moon.” smiled Raghu “Don’t do sweet talk to us this time. You manage your daughter first.” Paati said sternly. “Let me do it right away. I will go down and speak to her.” saying this Raghu went downstairs. He entered the house and walked towards Aditi. He took a fleeting glance at Suja and felt there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “My Predicament is funny to people” Raghu grumbled to himself.  He crouched in front of the chair Aditi was sitting on. He touched her hair and called out softly “Aditi darling!”  She swatted his hand away. “What happened da, Kanna? Are you ok? Why are you sitting like this? Why didn’t you come and hug me when I came back from the office?” “Most partial dad ever!” Aditi grumbled without moving. “If I am partial to someone, it is you and you know it. Come, hug me, and tell me what happened.” said Raghu. Aditi looked up and said “You didn’t just come back from office. You came back 10 minutes ago. I heard the door locking sound of the car. You came inside and whispered something to Mom and then went to the terrace to talk to them both. They came ahead of me in priority. Partial daddy” Raghu started laughing “OK my dear detective Miss Marple. I give up. I went to ask them what the issue was. Now am asking you. Tell me what happened?” Aditi got down from the chair and took an animated pose. Raghu knew a long story was coming. He sat cross-legged on the floor in front of her ready for the long explanation.  “At school today, the third period was maths. The previous period was games. So we were out on the ground playing. Once the bell rang, most of us came back to the classroom for the next period. But you know how the boys are. Few of them were still playing wanting to complete the cricket match they had started. So they came to class five minutes late.” Aditi caught her breath and said “If you are listening keep saying ’hmmm ok’” Raghu was wondering where this was going, but he went along “Hmmm ok….” “The maths teacher scolded them. She told them that they were interested only in playing and not in studies. She was terribly angry with them. She said cricket won’t get them money and food, and that only studies would. She made them stand outside the class for the entire period.” “Hmmm ok….” “You told me when watching IPL that cricketers make a lot of money and live rich lives. Then why aren’t my class boys allowed to play cricket? If you don’t allow them to play, how will they play in IPL later? Also, why is sports not valued the same as studies?” she continued. “Hmmm ok…” “Why are you just saying hmmm ok? Am I right?” asked Aditi. “Yes, Aditi. I agree. Cricket pays well if you are dedicated and can play at the highest level.” said Raghu. “But what has that got to do with the issue here?” “Wait. Let me complete it. Next, we had lunch recess and as usual, my friends and I finished lunch quickly and were playing in the corridors and stairs. The handkerchief ball we had made to play fell down the stairs to the ground floor. I went to collect it and that’s when I noticed that below the ground floor stairs in that dark dingy area is where the class attender/helper aunties eat. They sat on the floor and ate as they didn’t have chairs and tables. I felt sad on seeing them. The aunties are always smiling when attending to our needs and helping the school with various things like sweeping, mopping, and other jobs.” “Hmmm ok…” “Why don’t they have chairs to sit and eat? Why must they sit on the ground? I don’t like it”   “I am sad things are that way, Aditi. I am sure your principal would see it and consider changing it.” said Raghu admiring the way his daughter was thinking. “The saddest story comes next.” said Aditi with tears in her eyes. “Go ahead, what happened?” asked Raghu. “Today was Kanishka’s birthday. She had come in a pretty saffron colour frock. It was very colourful and nice. I loved it. She was in an incredibly good mood since morning, and we all played in class with her and sang the happy birthday song.” “That’s very nice….” “Wait wait, I will tell you. Post lunch she got permission from the English teacher and went to give chocolates to all the teachers in the staff room. I went along with her. When she was giving chocolates, one teacher remarked, that Kanishka shouldn’t have worn such a bright saffron colour dress for her dark skin and that a different colour would have been better. Her face changed and she lost her good mood. She was sad for the rest of the day till she left home.” Aditi finished the story. “Oh, that’s sad, Aditi. I am sure the teacher didn’t mean it in a bad way. Teachers never say with a bad intention.” said Raghu not wanting Aditi to form an opinion on her teachers.  “Good or bad intention, she shouldn’t have said Kanishka is dark. I am sad she said it that way.” Aditi said ruefully.  “Don’t worry Aditi. Right now, I am sure Kanishka is having a great birthday party at home where she is having lots of fun. I am sure she would have forgotten that episode.” cajoled Raghu. “Things have to change.” declared Aditi and “I am going to start the change.” she resolved.  Raghu looked at Suja with a questioning look.  “That won’t happen the way you intend to.” came Amma’s voice from the main door. She and Paati had come down from the terrace.  “I can and I will.” told Aditi with a finality.  “Aditi, you never speak to your Paati that way. What happened to you today?” asked Raghu his voice slightly rising. Paati spoke “Aditi, why don’t you show your dad the changes you made?” Show the changes! Now Raghu was intrigued. “Show me, Aditi.” he said.  She pointed towards the Golu. He didn’t understand. What is with the Golu dolls? He didn’t know what to see. He looked at her questioningly. “I have made changes to the Golu. Please see the dolls on the steps and the dolls on the floor. The women who sell the fish and vegetables are always kept on the floor like my school attender/helper aunties. So I moved them to the fourth step amidst the god dolls. They are selling eatables and other things. Why can’t they be on step four amidst the deities?” said Aditi. Raghu listened without reaction as she continued.  “Next, look at the classroom set here. It has only a teacher and students in uniform sitting on the benchers. The cricket set is separate and is shown on a playing ground. Even kids who like sports must be treated equally. So I kept two cricket-playing kids' dolls inside the classroom.” Raghu couldn’t contain his smile as Aditi went on. “I see small god statues in every park we go to. There is even a small shrine that people pray at. Hence, I moved few of the god dolls to the park. God dolls can be at the park too and not just on the steps. And finally, the dark-skinned snake charmer doll is always in the park. He may have dark skin, but he controls the snake like how lord Shiva does. So I moved him from the park to the top row of the steps. He shouldn’t be treated like Kanishka.” Aditi finished her statement proudly. “Am I wrong Daddy?” she asked. “No Aditi. I am speechless. The way you have thought through this is amazing. Normally they say, what we learn at home we need to practice outside also. But you have shown what we learn outside, we should practice at home too. Traditions were passed on from generation to generation, but traditions never stopped us from doing the right thing. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or DEI is a major initiative in our organisation too. Everyone is equal and should be treated with respect and we need to practice inclusivity. I haven’t seen such a wonderful Golu that spread DEI culture. You are not wrong da, Kanna. I am proud of you.” Raghu scooped her up in his arms and hugged her. “I am wondering why Amma and Paati had a problem with this?” he continued. “They didn’t.” said Aditi giggling as she slipped from his hands to the floor and ran towards the main door. He turned and saw his Amma, Paati, and Aditi standing together and smiling at him. Suja walked over to join them and winked at him.  Then it dawned on him. This was all an elaborate drama by the women of the house. His face turned red with embarrassment as he realised that he had been played.  “We never had a problem with it. We loved the idea when Aditi proposed it. This family has had progressive thinking always and this DEI Golu, as you call it, is a great start.” said his Amma.  “We were sure you would love the idea too as we brought you up with such diverse thinking and values.” said his Paati. “But we couldn’t miss the chance to play this elaborate prank on you. It was fun.” concluded Suja. “Alright alright, you all got me there. Now can I have the sundal of the day please.” pleaded Raghu. “Not until you sing for it!” said the four most beautiful women in the world in unison as a smiling Raghu folded his hands and bowed in front of them.   Penmancy gets a small share of every purchase you make through these links, and every little helps us continue bringing you the reads you love!