India, June 27 -- Letters are everywhere. You're reading some right now - but look up, and you'll likely spot a dozen more around you. Step outside, and it's inescapable - shop signs, menus, train timetables, logos, Metro maps. These letters come in all sizes, styles and languages. And hidden in them is more than just information. They carry traces of history, shifts in technology, and reflections of the economy and culture, layered across every street corner and storefront.

And when you pause to really look, a sign that seems straightforward - a jeweller, a dentist, a tailor - starts to tell a story. Say you're out to grab a bite. Without seeing a menu, you'll likely guess which restaurant is fancy and which one's budget-friendly. Walk ...