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members of the extended family. We make friends with our cousins and come to
know their likes and dislikes.

Our first school
We learn from our families. Last Holi, Alina learnt how to apply mehendi from her
cousin Pooja, who came all the way from Mumbai. Pooja also promised to teach Alina
how to draw a rangoli the next me they met.

Our home is the first school where we start learning about life.
Our home promotes quality of life for those living, dying, visi ng
and working in care homes. We learn to respect elders from our
parents.

Alina's grandmother teaches the servant's children in her free me. Her grandmother
says that they can develop their thinking through educa on. Now these children are
slowly convincing their parents to give up their supers ons and change with me.
Alina also tries to help her maid's children to read and write. Like most educated
families, Alina's family believes that boys and girls are equal. However, it was not
always like that. Her grandmother keeps telling people in her village that both boys
and girls must study and work, and be independent. She o en gives examples of these
women achievers:

Mother Teresa Sarojini Naidu Kalpana Chawla

Some mes people want to go outside and spend some me with their family which is
not possible if they live in extended families. In an extended family all family members
go together for picnics and ou ngs hence there is no privacy for anyone. In an
extended family these types of freedom are not possible.

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