Suddenly the newspapers are filled with reports of parents wanting to kill their children. They are being hacked, smothered, even electrocuted. The reason: honour. If children marry outside the caste, it is dishonour; kill them. If children marry outside the religion, it is dishonour; kill them. If children marry outside the class, it is dishonour; kill them. If children marry outside the gotra, it is dishonour; kill them. If children turn out to be homosexual, it is dishonour; kill them. And if the government intervenes, demand the banning of marriage across gotra, class, caste, religion, and of course, ban homosexuality.

Not everyone is so blatant. 'Killing' can be subtle: break all ties with the children, disinherit them, ignore them, harass them, abuse them and encourage others to abuse them. This has been happening forever. It seems to have peaked in recent times, for suddenly, thanks to the liberalisation policy, the world has opened up.

Television brings home tales of possibilities. Development brings home the resources to break free. Suddenly, children can make choices! And that bothers parents.