Looking at the discussions here, I think of the small kirana accounts I keep. Each ledger has its own truth, much like each tea garden. Grand theories about prices in Colombo are one thing, but the real measure is whether the small estate holder can fix his tractor this season, asta? For me, the satisfying click of my adding machine always comes from tallying the actual, small numbers.

Since 3.11, I keep extra atta and dal in airtight tins, rotating them like we do at the kirana shop. My old adding machine sits secured on the desk, but that tall shelf with my natya sangeet records still sways, kaay. Hearing Pralhad Joshi discuss education funds, I quietly update my ledger, wondering if the new policy will ease her Pune loan installments or just add more columns to calculate.