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Village Life

I visited both of my grandfathers' ancestral homes and the villages in which they grew up. As we drove away from Madras, the chaotic city enviornment transitioned into serene village life and the countryside. The villagers all led simple, reticent lives, taking care of their farm animals, working as sharecroppers in the fields, and making a modest income to support their families. I was struck with the simplicity of their lives and how happy and content they were. 

A village women picking cotton grown in her field.

A young, curious boy followed us around the village telling us about the diffrent sights. He was witty and curious to learn about America and other places abroad. When we asked him what grade he was in, he was unable to answer since his parents did not want him to go to school. Similar to millions of other children deprived of an education, he was in a situation from which he could not escape, and he will be destined to suffer, like his parents, without an education.

Village school girls coming to pray in the temple after school. It's nice to see girls being educated in the villages.

Young children herding goats to a grazing area. 

Autos are the most common mode of transportaion found in India. Autos are mini taxis which are convinently used to travel short distances cheaply. They are brightly decorated with religious gods, bells, and paintings.

Farmers transport their fresh produce to the market on motorbikes and bullockcarts (Oxen pull the carts). Even though there are modern modes of transporting loads, farmers in villages still prefer ancient methods. After nearby villagers buy the tomatoes, lorries (large trucks) take the vegetables to the cities. Each basket of tomatoes was sold us for approximatley one dollar.

Farmers in villages rely on agriculture to support their families. If the crops fail, their familes will suffer from the consequences.

A group of Andhra farmers pose for a picture. 

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