On a Pernem hillside, Wanarmares await land, light and dignity

On a Pernem hillside, Wanarmares await land, light and dignity

Sarah Rodrigues As the sun begins to set behind the hills of Pernem, Sitabai slowly makes her way home, a worn jhola resting against her hip. Her day has been spent walking through nearby villages, knocking on doors and asking for leftover food or old clothes—whatever people are willing to give. For Sitabai, this is not occasional; it is a routine shaped by survival. But returning home does not always bring relief. She often faces verbal abuse f…