Shon Mehta

I have always watched over the people of my village. After all, whatever I am, it is due to them. So when a new social worker landed in my village, Jarvi, I kept a close eye on him. It is normal for visitors to Jarvi to be surprised by its backwardness. In the middle of nowhere, located miles away from civilization, the village has always been slow at making progress. The people and their ways have remained the same for centuries, with their medieval lifestyle, their medieval beliefs, and their medieval punishments. "You deserve a much better life," the young social worker told them. "I am here to make that happen." The people had heard that before. A few months back, another social worker had come with a number of promises, but had left the very next day, just like his predecessors. But this time it was different. The social worker's enthusiasm, his positivity, and his sincerity gave the people hope. He stayed on for a month, then another. He surveyed things, a...