“Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India” by Santosh Desai is a collection of essays that delve into the quirks and nuances of Indian middle-class life. Through a blend of humor and keen observation, Desai explores the everyday experiences, traditions, and cultural shifts that shape the identity of urban India.

In this episode, we discuss sub chapters within Essay 3. These essays talk about the rule of Hierarchies in India and the complexities of the same. It is not one set of rules that applies in all scenarios but an intersection of caste of the people involved, economic status, political status and connections, workplace hierarchy, educational status, traditional family status, etc.

Another essay talks about special status of Bus Drivers Maul in the bus and how daily travellers are aware of the same and daily proceedings adjust around the same. Have you ever been somebody's maul?

Thirs chapter talks about "Power of a slap". The phrase “the power of a slap” can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the context. It can be literal, symbolic, emotional, or even cultural. 

Do let us know if you want to share something about these topics with us.