Welcome to the daily life story of a typical Indian family. Grab a cup of ginger tea. Let me walk you through a day in our home. The day does not begin with an alarm clock. It begins with the clinking of steel vessels. My grandmother, whom we call Dadi , is already up. She believes that anyone sleeping past sunrise is missing out on the "good energy."

The front door is always open (metaphorically and literally). The watchman’s son comes in to watch cartoons. The Kiranawala (grocer) arrives to collect money but ends up staying for a glass of water and a debate about the cricket team’s captain.

I look into my parents’ room. Dad is snoring lightly. Mom is scrolling on her phone with zero volume, watching cat videos.

The living room, or "hall," is a democracy. The TV remote is a weapon of mass destruction. My brother wants to watch Tom & Jerry . Dad wants the news. Mom wants her daily soap, Anupama .

And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for the quietest life in the world. Liked this story? Subscribe to "The Indian Household" newsletter for more recipes, fights, and festivals.