Gingawa Witnesses Modernity — Stories from Jhalawar, Rajasthan

Steven Moctezuma
Jul 30, 2017 · 2 min read

Gingawa has been living in her village since she was married, for over 50 years, witnessing the changes in her neighborhood.

Gingawa with her daughters

We used to cut woods from the forest and sell it to the market, but now we can do agriculture.

There were years that school girls are not allowed. I am really happy that now more and more schools are here which allowed higher education.

It felt strange but wonderful witnessing these three generations under the same roof. They were all seemingly delighted by the changes that followed modernization.

Gingawa’s home for over 50 years

Realizing some of them had a relatively higher education, they have been asked whether they wanted to have a career that is more suitable to their degree.

I am happy to be here, living our place.

Three generations: Gingawa, her daughter, her grandson

Celebrating birthdays seem to be normal to you and me, but not to them.

We don’t celebrate birthday at all. I can’t even remember when was my birthday.

When Gingawa was asked about her greatest achievement in life, she said:

I am really proud of being parts of the agriculture, of which many have left

— Written by Eddie Wong

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