Recent conversations in WhatsApp groups revolve around U.S. tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, sparking talks about India's self-sufficiency. Amid these discussions, a nostalgic tale from 1985 surfaces about a group of banking trainees in Kolkata who experienced financial difficulties, leading them to switch from costly Rothmans cigarettes to cheaper bidis. This quiet form of protest resulted in a successful appeal for an early salary. The self-reliance frequently shows itself through flexibili...