In the Sharma household in Jaipur, 68-year-old Asha is the unofficial CEO. By 6:00 AM, she has already watered the tulsi plant (a sacred ritual), read the newspaper through thick glasses, and turned on the TV to a spiritual discourse. Her daughter-in-law, Priya, is rushing to pack lunch boxes. “Maa, did you see the salt in the pickle?” Priya asks. Asha nods without looking up. This silent choreography has been rehearsed for fifteen years.

“Mumma, I’m hungry.”