The clock strikes 9. The Mehta family gets glued to their television set to watch the daily news. Watching news at least once a day was a must for this family.

But do you think everyone actually watches the news? Let me give you an e.g. of the stereotypical Indian family - The Mehtas. There are two people completely engrossed in the news for obvious reasons - Mr Mehta aka grandfather and his son Mahesh. What makes the news so interesting? What about the third Mehta… their successor and the youngest member in the family, Arjun. He is least interested in current affairs except for of course the sports news.

His grandmother also likes to watch the news out of habit courtesy her husband. Arjuns mother Mrs. Reena Mehta is a multi tasker she is re assembling the kitchen space while watching the news. Who is that girl with the headphones stuck to her ears, putting nail paint on her toes? She isn't even pretending to listen to the solemn news anchor. She is Zia, Mahesh's daughter.

The grand father raises the television's volume. ‘TODAY'S HEADLINES' the anchor says in his crisp and confident voice.

2G case: Swamy submits documents against Chidambaram.
India to ask for waivers on new U.S. sanctions on Iran.
China paper calls US a troublemaker for the world.
Japan to shut nuclear reactors after 40 years of use.
11 dead after hot air balloon crashes in New Zealand.
NRIs coming back to India, a reverse brain drain.

“Hello and welcome to the news at 9. I am Shekar Roy bringing you today’s news”.

The biggest news this hour is of the return of the NRIs back to India. A few questions have been raised - What made them come back? Where did their aims and aspirations go? Are they facing any discrimination?

BUP! Suddenly the TV's power turns off ! Darkness spread all across the room...

Zia - Nooooo…HOW WILL I PUT MY NAIL PAINT?'

Grandfather - Oh No! India ka kuch nai ho sakta! Light ko bhi abhi jana tha?
Hun asi news keeve vekhage?

Dadi - Koi nai hune light aajawegi .

There was no sign of the electricity coming back soon but the urge of listening to the news didn't go. Using the pretext of a blackout Arjun is quizzed about his views on NRIs by his grandpa.

Arjun - NRI??? What's that?

Zia - NON RESIDENTIAL INDIAN dumbo!

Arjun - Maaaaaaaaaa look at her. She thinks she is very smart!

And the never ending sibling beat down continues.

Mahesh - Ignore them Pa! What were you saying? .

Grandfather - I was asking him about the reverse brain drain, about the many engineers returning to India, do you think its good for us?

Dadi - Menu toh lagda he ki economic recession hi esda reason hega.

A minute of silence.

Mahesh - I think its good because now the NRIs would work here and be a good resource to the country, they add to the national income.

Dadi - Menu toh eh changa lagda he, hun sade bachya nu bahar jane ka shauk nai rahega.

Mrs Reena - Biji agar bache bahar jakr nai padege toh humare yahaan ek aur Kalpana Chawala kese hogi?

Zia replies - Kalpana Chawla was not of any help, all the fame went to “the US of A” (exaggerated tone)

Mrs Reena - She Inspired Sleeping Cows. She wouldn't have become Kalpana Chawla that she is today, had she decided to stay in India beta.

Arjun - Yo mom! She was wearing the American Flag, she was no Indian. I saw it on TV.

Zia - Thank god! U know something.

Grandfather - Arey putar tusi Sunita Williams da na toh bhul hi gaye. Oh bi toh sadi Indian kudi see. I heard that she carried an Idol of Ganesha, copy of Bhagwat Geeta and some samosas with her in space.

Zia - But dadaji they were not the citizens of India. How are they of our use?

Mrs Reena - They Inspired Sleeping Cows like u bache . It is because of them, many Indian school girls were invited to NASA and now they have similar dream too.

Arjun - HaHaHa Zia the cow, Zia the cow!

Grandmother - Oho tusi lado nah hun!

Mrs. Reena - Children burn their mid-night oil, study hard and end up landing there what is the benefit?

Grandfather- Lack of resources and opportunities my dear!

Mahesh - Hmmmm… you are right dad. The history gives a very nice instance of Gandhi, father of your motherland could've stayed and settled in England to practice law but he chose to came back and serve the country.

Arjun bowed down his head, joined hands and said Humare apne mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji ki jai ho!

Mrs. Reena - But papaji my point is that at the end of the day, it matters where you make the difference. Is it your own mother land or some other country?

Grandmother - Haan menu lagda he Reena theek kehndi he

Zia - Nobody twisted their arms and made them do it. It was their own decision.

Mahesh - It is sad that due to economic recession, the engineers had to take an about turn in India but those who have spent quite a few time in abroad must have learnt the nuances that they can bring back to India.

Grandfather – I have a different opinion. I think when now they return the competition level will increase. Our Indian children would have to compete. Hence less jobs more unemployment.

Grandmother: Tusi theek keh rahe ho. Hun toh bache kuch vi karege kaam pane lie.

Mrs Reena - Paise ki toh koi value hi nai rahi he. This will make crime increase. Is it the India we want?

Arjun - (with a nervous expression) I think now I have to study more hard, otherwise how will I buy my own car mom?

Grandmother pulls Arjun in her arms and hugs him; with a soft peck on his left cheek she says - Oh mera putar! Tu fikar na kar. Tere dadi hune zinda he. Aur bharat me bhartiye he rahe ji. Main toh yehi chahti hoon.

Mukesh: Mummy ji don't spoil him. He has to be strong and study hard. I want my son to be self-reliant. I trust him. He will make it. And mom do you know what Bharat means? It means Seeker of Truth! Truth is eternal. It does not belong to any person or country.

Grandfather - Zia beta aap toh bade ho aapne kya socha he?

Zia - I think I should start watching news.

Everyone laughed out loud.

Mahesh - NRIs k bare me to nai pata per atleast ub apni beti ko khushi khushi news dekhte hue dekhuga.

Bup! The Electricity is back.