To India, gold has always meant a lot more than to the rest of the world.

As a metal, it's India’s all-time favourite for ornaments. People across all classes and barriers wear gold at all times. If one can’t afford even a little something, then there’s the next best option – gold-plated ornaments.

As a symbol, it stands for prosperity and good luck. After the first taste of breast milk, new-born babies are often fed just a trace of gold powder for an auspicious beginning to life. Similarly, when life draws to an end, the still bodies of the loved ones are adorned with gold at the time of the final farewell.

And as a colour, in this land of brilliant colours, it blooms in a thousand gleams all around.