The Proustian self-introspection.

[By The Delhi Proustians]

The Proust Questionnaire represents a form of interview that owes its structure to answers given by French novelist Marcel Proust, the author of In Search of Lost Time, at two birthday parties that he attended at ages 13 and 20 in the late 19th century.

In 2013, The Delhi Proustians takes Les confidences de salon (Drawing room confessions) around the city to explore people’s lives, thoughts, values and experiences. This series involves interviews across Delhi and is conducted by writers Manika Dhama and Mayank Austen Soofi.

For the fourth instalment in the series Delhi’s Proust Questionnaire, domestic helper Gajra, who uses only one name, made confessions to Manika Dhama during her morning chores at her employer’s house in Sector-34, Noida, a suburban neighbourhood.

Your favorite virtue or the principal aspect of your personality
Hard work

Your favorite qualities in a man
Integrity

Your favorite qualities in a woman
Integrity

Your chief characteristic
Sincerity

What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
I don’t have friends as it is very difficult to trust anyone

Your main fault
When I have negative thoughts about other people

Your favorite occupation
Cooking

Your idea of happiness
When my children are happy

Your idea of misery or what would be your greatest misfortune?
My husband’s death on 15th August 2007

If not yourself, who would you be?
A farmer

Where would you like to live?
In Delhi in a house of my own

Your favourite colour and flower
Yellow and Rose

Your favorite bird
[No response]

Your favorite prose authors
I only studied till 6th Standard and do not remember any stories

Your favorite poets
[No response]

Your favorite heroes in fiction
Watching films is a luxury I can’t afford

Your favorite heroines in fiction
Watching films is a luxury I can’t afford

Your favorite composers
I enjoy the religious songs of Sai Baba, whom I revere greatly

Your favorite painters
[No response]

Your heroes/heroines in real life
My children

What characters in history do you most dislike?
Assassins of Indira Gandhi

Your heroines in World history
Indira Gandhi

Your favorite food and drink
Dal and roti

Your favorite names
Those of my children – Neeraj, Simpi, Shivam and Krishna

What do you hate the most?
The instances of rape so rampant in our society

The military event you admire the most
India’s fight for independence

The reform you admire the most
The Delhi Metro and the government schools and hospitals

The natural talent you’d like to be gifted with
I would like my children, especially my daughter, to learn dance

How do you wish to die?
As an old grandmother around my children and their families

What is your present state of mind?
I am very worried about the behavior of my eldest son, who is a teenager

Faults for which you have the most tolerance
None

Your motto in life
Be straight in your words and sincere in your work

Diving deep within, like Marcel

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