Sleeves, Dupatta, And Summers
“Sleeveless dresses are not allowed here,” said my colleague on the first day of my job at a school with broken ACs and noisy fans in Pune. It bothered me at that time because school is supposed to be a place where children are taught to be respectful towards others, regardless of what they wear. However, sometimes it is wiser to adjust than to argue. That evening after the school, I went to a local tailor to have sleeves attached to all my dresses and tops. The next day, I went to school wearing a full-sleeved kurta. My supervisor came to me and said, “Jeans are not allowed.” The next day, I went to school wearing another sleeved kurta and a pair of leggings. My supervisor called me in her office and said, “I have been told by my seniors, that you must carry a dupatta. You see, your body figure is such that your chest gets highlighted.” I realized that my supervisor had no intentions of hurting me. Even though she was merely followi...