Made In India

Last year during my puja vacation we were in Delhi to attendmy cousin Trisha's Engagement ceremony. Rima aunty had madeus very comfortable in her spacious, comfortable house. One the night I was sitting in my bedroom when I suddenly heard

ablood-curdling scream. I rushed towards the source of the scream expecting to see something gruesome! instead, I found Nisha, Rima auntie's younger daughter standing beside a huge pile of clothes on her bed, holding up a frilly, bright lavender colored blouse that looked completely revolting to me! now I really get along very well with my cousin Nisha as we are close to each other in age too.

Naturally, I was concerned. "What happened?" I asked anxiously. "She this!! it's torn! torn!" howled Nisha, holding up the blouse and looking at it distastefully. "And I haven't worn it yet!" Just at that moment, Vicky, her twin brother came bounding into the room. Unlike me, he was not worried at all. He gave a mischievous grin and said," It was probably torn when you picked it up in theshop. You just didn't look at it properly!" then he added with a wink " or may you tore it as you unpacked it in your usual careless way!"

"No, I didn't !" Shrieked Nisha picking up a pillow and chasing Vicky roundthe room. "I know the real reason. This is made of such a low-grade materialthat it simply falls apart. I only bought it as it happens to be of the latestfashion. But alas! what's to be done? this was made in India! the quality will definitely be inferior! if it had been one of those imported pieces this would not have happened!" she wailed.

"I doubt it," said Vicky a little offended. "Speaking respectfully about your own

country's product, Nisha. Don't underestimate India in my way, my dear!" "see Vicky," said Nisha haughtily, "We all know that our country makes such inferior things as this! now I shall have to buy a new blouse." She turned to look at me, "Prerna, will you come shopping with me? you can see the fabulous smalls here. Surely you don't get to see such places in small towns as yours. It will be a good learning experience for you!" I looked at her guardedly. I only hoped it didn't turn out to be a learningexperience in temper tantrums! five long hours and twelve shops later, Nisha finally found what she thought to be her dream blouse. We were in a fancy international boutique in a mall and Nisha had at last found a blouse verysimilar to the one that had been torn earlier. She held up an even filler lavender blouse and screeched with delight, "Prerna!! look! the style is just the same! and don't miss the material. Just touch it and see! it's definitely superior! it has to be! this is an "International" boutique!"

She went up to the shop assistant and asked him to bill it for her. Leaving meatthe counter to collect her packet, she wandered off to admire some new shades of nail polish. The store assistant handed me the packet along with a green booklet. "What's this?" I said, amazed. "The washing and maintenance instruction, of course," he replied. Back home Nisha began to display her purchases excitedly. She tookout the lavender blouse and announced, "Mum will you believe it? I found the same beautiful blouse at the international boutique! and this is an original piece, mind you. not a cheap Indian Imitation!"

Rima aunt and my mother were admiring the talk while Vicky and I were busy going through the green booklet. Suddenly we both stopped and looked ateach other, trying our best not to burst out into laughter. Handing the booklet to Nisha, Vicky said with forced seriousness, " Nisha, take a look at this." No sooner did Nisha take the little booklet and begin to read than her eyes widened, her jaws dropped and the voucher fell from her finger. She stood there as if paralyzed. Puzzled, my mother picked up the voucher it read: "100% cotton. Gentle hand-washonly. Drip-dry in shade." And then came the stunner "Made In India" We all burst into laughter as mortified Nisha stormed out of the room!