Hassan kept on rotating the ear bud as he listened on. There was no need to interrupt as important and pleasurable a task as cleaning out one’s ears for a speech. If anything, it would only enhance his hearing over the incessant buzz that was Golpark Chowpatti. Infrastructure—Madam was saying. Hassan knew the word. Madam was doing well on keeping her promises on this word. Concrete structures were popping up everywhere and plants were getting planted in the pavement depressions. He had received two plants himself—not quite green, but plants nevertheless—with black metal wiring around for protection. He had proudly...