Jullundher - A day in the Villages

Today was dedicated to meeting Jinder’s extended family and visiting his ancestral villages.  Our hosts were beyond welcoming.  Three vehicles and various cousins picked us up from our hotel and dedicated their day to us. 

We left the city and drove through various farming communities to Jinder’s mum’s village, Pajodatta and then his dad’s, Burrajatta.  Compared to the southern states we visited, Punjab appears to be more modern, greener, and much cleaner.  Clearly, Punjab is the “bread basket” of India.  There are also many less cattle roaming the area.  While Sikhs do not eat meat, cattle are not held sacred like Hindus.  The males are herded into communal lands, fed and watered, but not allowed to roam.  The cows are kept for milking.

Cycling In India

Exotic Birds Everywhere.

More Modern - But BC Hydro May Say Otherwise.

Motorcycle Transport

Actually Four - Babe in Arms.

Road Work Crew Member - All By Hand

I believe we experienced a snapshot of what life is like in India for the middle class.  Not to say it is easy but if a person owns land, is a smart businessman, and is prepared to work hard, they can have a very good life.  Jinder’s family has owned land in this area for over 200 years.  The land never rests.  Many farmers sow wheat in October, harvest in April, sow rice in April, and harvest in October.  Others grow sugarcane year around.  In both cases they plant poplar trees amongst the crops.  Poplars mature in 5 to 6 years and are used for making plywood and cricket bats, to name a few.

Poplar Trees with Wheat Crop Below

Marijuana grows everywhere.  If a crop is not in the ground, marijuana takes over.  The ditches are full.  It is not used for any purpose in this area.  Livestock and birds will not eat it but there are stories of non-Indian young people relocating to the area for months at a time to indulge themselves.  Food is cheap and weed is plentiful.

Marijuana, Wheat, Poplar

Marijuana, Cow patties, Stan

We arrived in Pajodatta and met more family and village neighbors.  Jinder’s cousin, Natha farms the area and keeps a country home as needed but spends most of his time in residence in Jullundher.  Natha is a successful farmer but also gives back to the village as a patron, supporting both the school and temple.

We walked to the village school established by Natha’s grandfather seventy years ago and visited the classrooms.  School was in session and our visit likely ruined the learning environment for the rest of the day.  The kids were excited and eager to show us their work.  The principal proudly had the best reader in the school read out loud in English for us.  The school housed preschool-aged kids up to children around eleven.  The curriculum is focused on Punjabi, Hindi, English languages and Mathematics.

Preschoolers and Their Lunch Pail

Boys Off To School

Three Principals Disturbing Class

Principal, George, Natha (Patron)

Staff and Preschoolers at Lunch

Our visit to Burrajatta was an emotional one for Jinder.  Much of his first seven years of life were spent in Burrajatta.  When we arrived in the village he began to reminisce about the yard he played in, the tree he played under, the lanes he walked and the house he slept in.  The village is very similar to when he left it.  As we stood on the roof he allowed himself think about what life might have been like had his father not made the decision to move. 

Jinder's Childhood Yard

Entrance to His House

His Courtyard Where He Ate and Played

 The house is still in his family and an outbuilding his great grandfather built still stands.  Their property is now let to local growers.  As we walked out to view his fields we passed a crew harvesting sugarcane and stopped to have a taste.  Workers put in long days for the equivalent of about $2.60 Canadian a day and three meals.

Girls In The Mustard Field

Off To The Fields

Sugarcane Harvest

Stan Could Not Resist Tryout As A Patty Packer

We returned to Pajodatta and Sukhvinder, Natha’s wife, and the ladies had our lunch prepared.  We had the most fabulous Indian meal and the fresh homegrown vegetables made it the best meal so far.

Everyday Cooking In The Village

Preparing Saug (Spinach Dish)

We returned to the hotel and some of us had naps while the others were out shopping the bazaar.  Deborah is now in the lead in the Pashmina count but Doreen has not capitulated as of yet.

We went to a restaurant/entertainment center called the Haveli.  We entered into a fully replicated farming village complete with life-sized recreations of every aspect of village life.  The meal was a traditional vegetarian meal representing Punjab of old.  We ate and drank some things we were unfamiliar with but so far so good.  Family (yes including us) pictures were taken and good nights were made with hugs all around.

Our New Jullundher Family

I experienced a truly senior moment when one of the young men shook my hand and then quickly bent and touched one hand to both my knees.  Kal explained later that that is a sign of respect for ones elders.  I guess the grey hair is proving some worth.

Off to Amritsar and the Golden Temple tomorrow.