Every society has its norms. When you are inside, they seem permanent- they seem normal. In Hinduism, there is no clear right and wrong. Christians, Muslims and Jews are brought up on the idea of pairs of opposites, the idea that you are either for or against us, and find it hard to put aside this trained instinct when looking at India….. The culture of India was different and protean: nearly everyone adjusted, talked, depended on the protection of astrology put a dab of kajal, or kohl, behind the ear of a child to ward off the evil eye. (p.371)

Comment: The above quote is from India : A Portrait by Patrick French pub. Allen Lane 2011 People believed that the ‘imperfection’ that a small dot of Kohl created on the left side of the forehead or under the right ear would ward off any malevolent spirits.