Why touch?

The number of times every week I have to tell random ‘uncles’ and ‘aunties’ at the race course (where Kymaia trains) not to touch or pat her and the number of times I’ve been met with righteous indignation is a ridiculous non-zero number!

What is this Indian culture(?) that revels in and normalises patronizing treatment at best and non-consensual behaviour at worst? It’s obsessive. And unnecessary.

The only ‘good’ part is that once the inevitable argument and the eventual apology follows, that person is unlikely to ever do it again. To anyone. In a way, Kym & I are helping other children down the line. Which is satisfying.

P.S.: You should see her exasperated & rather dramatic eye-roll, though, whenever she’s touched or patted.

P.P.S.: That’s Kym’s new coach in the picture, DJ Sir. Her old one, Vidyanand Sir, was transferred to Indore by his company.