Before I continue with the heavy spiritual stuff I ought to offer some travel observations.
I am no expert on the sociology of gender dynamics in South Asian society, but I do have two eyes so for what it's worth here it is:
1. Males often hold hands while walking together in public
2. Men dress rather crummy but women are amazing in that no matter what the heat, dirt, crowds, animals, bales on head, motobike exhaust, general filthy madness - women ALWAYS have on a bright colored, spotless clean, crisply creased, spanking new gorgeous looking sari without even a single stain or sweat spot. This applies to women of any age, location, social station or occupation. I have not even the remotest idea how this is even conceivable under these conditions.
3. Overheard comment from a Western woman to her Western boyfriend/companion:
"It's great to be a man in India, all you guys need to do is turn your back to the road and whip it out. For us women things aren't so simple here."
