Hey!
I must say, this is something which has been on my mind since day one of this serial. I remember how angry I got when Ragni was let down, and I got angry at the whole concept of "showing" her to the men, she is not a dog dammit. Sorry, but the process seems so demeaning to women. First off, I find it very ignorant when South Asian people value lighter skin tones, considering that the majority of their population is far from light skinned, second of all, how hypocritical of such a society who values truth, power, bravery, courage, love, respect ect. ect to put such esteem in skin color. Chi.
I was born and brought up here, and my parents are both from Bangladesh, but they have never once said anything about skin color, they have always taught me to be a good person, actions speak louder, but I suppose people here are more liberal with such an issue. Also, we don't worry about arranged marriages down here, either, not in my family at least. Both my parents find it demeaning and its unfair to both the girl and the guy.
Living here, there is also the concept of size zero and what not, I suppose no matter where you are, us women will always be subjugated to something dealing with our physical appearance or lack there of. I only wish that people would stop being so ignorant and open their minds, because in the end, god doesn't even look at skin tone, but who you are as a person and what you did in life.