What’s The Tariff?

Advaith swiftly & deftly navigated the bustling canteen floor & reached a recently vacated table. After a long wait, he had managed to capture a table. He looked for his teammates & waved at them. While they tried to reach him, he looked around for the housekeeping staff. The prior occupants had made a complete mess of the table; it had spilled food, juice & used tissues. After a long haul, teammates managed to reach the table & they collectively looked for someone from housekeeping. Sheetal looked around & stated, "Cafetaria looks busier than usual. The housekeeping members are only a handful when compared to the ocean of people." Rajesh looked around & agreed, "Yeah, it seems like everyone decided to eat at the same time. Usually, it's staggered & we don't see such a massive crowd." Finally, a housekeeping boy walked up to the table, cleared the table & wiped it clean. Sheetal thanked him with a wide smile. The team settled & dug into their lunch to calm their grumbling stomach. Advaith said, "I don't know how these housekeeping people work every day? Yuck!" Sheetal was offended, "What's that supposed to mean? They work hard & make an honest living."

Advaith's smirk irked Sheetal. She questioned, "If everyone thinks like you, who is going to clean up after you?" Advaith seemed stumped by her question. Yet his ego continued in a condescending tone, "It is such a menial & disgusting job!" Sheetal's temper flared a notch up. Kanika patted Sheetal's arm, conveying her to calm down. Kanika coolly remarked, "Had he had the resources, he could have gone places." Advaith enquired with curiosity, "What do you mean by resources?" Kanika responded, "Your father was a multi-millionaire who could afford courses for you at the most expensive institutes. You have lived life king size, could even afford vacations at international destinations. If only that housekeeping boy's parents had even a portion of your father's income, he could have been your boss. Are you telling me he isn't smarter than you just because he cleans the table?" Advaith was at a loss for words & Sheetal seemed to calm down slightly.

The conversation was interrupted by Rahul's arrival. Rajesh questioned, "What took you so long?" Rahul seemed jittery & announced, "I had a long discussion with my parents; they have finalised my wedding." Everyone seemed to speak at once. "You are a fresher; you joined work like 6mons ago?" "Why such an early wedding?" "You found the girl, or was it your parents?" Rahul was confused as to what to say. Kanika waited for everyone to settle down & stated, "Congratulations!" Rahul blushed & replied, "Thank you." Everyone looked at Kanika. She raised her shoulders & asked, "What? In his community, people get married very early. By those standards, he is late by a few years."

All eyes turned towards Rahul; he nodded in agreement. He said, "Yeah, there was so much pressure at home. When I had been to my hometown last time, I met a few girls. It took some time for my parents to finalise. The wedding is in 6mons." Kanika continued, "So what's your market value?" Rahul was unsure yet replied, "In my community, boys who run family businesses have higher rates. Since I am working as a salaried employee, it's low." Kanika persisted, "Alright, do share with us your 'low' market value." Rahul budged & revealed a number. There was a collective gasp at the table. Kanika exclaimed, "Dude, that like more than my 10years of salary."

Rajesh stated, "In my region, the number of stamps on the passport determines the tariff." Sheetal exclaimed, "What? Please elaborate." Rajesh responded, "Boys join professional courses with the plan to do masters abroad, secure a job & settle down. During any semester or other holidays, one may witness multiple such groups on trains. They utilise travel time to learn or build vocab. Also, they attend competitive exams in the second year of the course. So that in the final year, they have enough practice to crack the test. The number of years lived abroad is a gauge for tariff." Sheetal couldn't believe her ears. Rajesh continued, "One after the other, each sibling or cousin relocate abroad. They have a whole family tree set up there." Kanika yelled, "How do people even come up with such models?"

Kanika continued, "Anyways, now that we are on the topic, Anna, what's happening with your wedding proposals?" Anna responded, "How did you know?" Kanika smiled & replied, "You have lost a significant amount of weight & pay attention to your appearance. The grooming process has begun, it is apparent." Anna sighed & stated, "Oh, don't ask! My parents are under a lot of pressure. At my place, the demands are too high. Last month, I met a guy. Without any hesitation, he stated the tariff. I almost fell off the chair. It was higher than what Rahul quoted. I categorically told him I was a working woman. He insisted & I rejected the proposal." Kanika clapped & commented, "I'm proud of you. Your parents don't have to pay for a life partner. I'm sure something will work out." Rahul curiously inquired, "So what's the tariff here?" Sheetal declared, "In my community, we don't buy the groom." Kanika laughed & answered, "It's up to people; there is no demand to be met." Advaith started to say something, then stopped himself. Rahul then hijacked the conversation & shared his larger-than-life wedding details.

After lunch, Sheetal & Kanika parted from the group & went for a short walk. Sheetal stated, "I cannot believe that people are into these age-old customs of paying the groom's family. We have laws against it." Kanika giggled, "Everyone knows not to jump a red light at a signal, yet people do." Sheetal continued, "In an era where schools & colleges are accessible to all, to witness such evil practices is heart-wrenching. When will people learn & grow?" Kanika replied, "Attending an educational institute doesn't elevate a persons' thinking. Look at Advaith's behaviour."

Sheetal agreed, "True. Anna's case was over the top. How can they demand such high figures? It's unbelievable." Kanika replied, "Recently, her region's film industry employees association made short videos to create awareness. It was on social media; haven't you watched them?" Sheetal shrieked, "What? Why do they have to make such videos? Anna is from a 100% educated state." Kanika's laugher at the common misconception confused Sheetal. Kanika calmed herself down & stated, "Government recognizes the state as 100% literate, not educated."

Take Away:

A fine line differentiates literacy & education; crossing that line is a long journey.