Doctors in lab coats

In the beginning of the novel, Ajay is describing his father. According to Ajay, his father loves science and therefore works to spend time around as much science as he can, which means that Rajinder spends a portion of his time in clinics talking to the doctors in lab coats. It is at these clinics, talking to these doctors in lab coats, that Rajinder feels that he is close to important things. The doctors are a symbol for Rajinder's desire to be thought of as better than he thinks he is. Rajinder has always wanted to be in a higher social class, and putting himself among doctors in lab coats makes him feel that he might someday reach that goal.

Airplane tickets to America

A year after he leaves Delhi, Rajinder sends airplane tickets to his wife and two sons so they may...