I have been searching online for some explanation of a slightly annoying practice that is affecting Abby and Max.   The Cheek Pinch.

"Indians often use this gesture with children as a sign of affection."  From a useful page that answers several questions about Indian culture and practices.

"Kendra names Mumbai, Pinch-Cheek City. Because everywhere she and Cleo go they get an affectionate, but very firm, pinch on the cheek. Indians love children, as staunchly as the British frown upon them."  Not much of an explanation for the practice, but an interesting read.

"Travel with two young blond children attracts a lot of attention. This is in general not meant in an unfriendly way, but at times it would get a bit annoying for the kids. What was really a nuisance is everybody trying to pinch the kids in the cheek. “NO PINCHING” were English words Frank and Marit learned really quickly. Mum and dad would support this by warning of the attacks and by pinching back if necessary. The kids also didn’t like posing for photographs."  The pattern continues, foreigners taking kids to India who file this under ANNOYANCES. 

"If I pinch your cheek and that hurts you, I won't question WHY it hurts you and try to convince you that it shouldn't, that it's silly, will I? I'll just accept that it does hurt you (or perhaps even offend you), and perhaps will try not to do it again. "  This is no explanation at all, and takes us close enough to Godwin's Law that I will give up.

Therefore, I leave it to you, my dear readers who have far more knowledge about India than I to explain this annoying practice to me in the comments.   As I have learned (and still get reminded frequently) that in India, you have to take all things in stride.   Maybe a compromise will be to tolerate pinches that do not bruise and get upset about a practice far worse: strangers that put my kids hands in their mouths, especially Max because he sucks his thumb. 

Maybe the solution is to buy some T-shirts for the kdis that say "enna thodaathE!"