However, progress comes at a cost. India has one of the highest rates of "female labor force participation drop" after marriage. For those who remain in the workforce, the "second shift" is brutal. A female software engineer in Pune might lead a team of ten men during the day, but by 7 PM, she is expected to resume her role as the primary caregiver and home manager.

If there is one force that has democratized the Indian woman’s life, it is the cheap smartphone and Jio internet.

: Cultural expression is woven into everyday life. This is seen in the intricate Rangoli (or Kolam) designs drawn at doorsteps, the clinking of Lac bangles , and the sacred application of Sindoor or a Bindi .