India, March 27 -- The late-night flight from Dubai to Chennai landed smoothly. My mind was full of expectations about a large family gathering at a wedding the next day. As I walked out after immigration clearance, I saw a customs officer flagging someone frantically. I presumed it was for someone behind me, but he accosted me and asked, "Are you carrying any gold?"
"No, no, nothing except what I am wearing," I blurted. "The bangles you are wearing seem to be new."
"No, these are my everyday bangles," I said wrenching a bangle from my wrist and showing him the white film of soap settled in the grooves.
"If you are hiding any gold with you other than this, you must declare it now," the officer said, a tad menacingly.
I yanked my mangals...