The cruellest season

I hate Delhi in all its seasons. I hate it in summer because of the scorching winds and temperatures in the high 40s. I hate it in the clammy winter for the smog and freezing cold. But, above all, I hate it in the wedding season, with the noisy processions, traffic holdups and assorted miseries.

- K.C. VERMA

In peak wedding season, even fairly anti-social people like my wife and I receive invitations to a whirl of functions, sometimes as many as four in a week. This number isn't too large, considering that on some so-called auspicious days as many as 50,000 weddings take place in a single evening in Delhi.

Earlier we got letters or simple cards inviting us for weddings. But now we get bulky folders with pullouts and several sheets and QR codes and even meal tickets for drivers! Each invitation presents a profound conundrum for me and the missus. From simple mysteries like: 'Who are these people?' and 'Why have they invited us?' to more complex dilemmas-'Should we attend or not?' 'Should we give cash or gift something to the newlyweds?' 'How much 'shagun' would be appropriate?' And for the missus it is often an existential stumper, 'What should I wear?'