"I made aloo ki sabzi ," Sheela announced, placing the bowl on the counter. "But I put too much chili. My Vikas, you know, he likes it spicy, but my throat is burning just smelling it. Try it, tell me if it’s edible."

The day often begins before sunrise, led by the matriarch or elders of the house.

"My son failed his math exam last semester," Priya shares. "In America, maybe they get a therapist. In India, the entire family sat down. My husband stopped watching cricket. My brother-in-law sent a solved paper from Mumbai. The cousin who is an engineer called from the US to explain algebra. The whole village raised the child." The boy passed with 78% the next term.