India's nomads - The forgotten world of the Gadia Lohar | DW Documentary

The Gadia Lohar were once the respected blacksmiths who forged weapons for India's kings. Despite their former fame, today the nomads are among the poorest of the country's poor and ostracized by much of Indian society.

Gadia Lohar blacksmiths were renowned for the elaborate armor and weapons they made for India's one-time rulers. Today they live a nomadic existence, earning what they can by selling wares they make from scrap metal. They are marginalized in Indian society and are among the poorest of the poor.

The Gadia Lohar community is insular - it has little contact with the rest of the population. Filmmaker Deana Uppal has managed to spend time with Gadia Lohar families. She has documented their lifestyle, which has yet to be fully integrated into the modern digital world. Nevertheless, the women of the Gadia Lohar enjoy equality with the men. They do the same jobs and have similar influence in decision making. Stereotypical gender roles hold little sway. Yet other Indians often unjustly believe them to be thieves. The government's position towards the group shows just how marginalized they are. Despite the approval of aid for the nomads, integrating the group into modern Indian life is challenging. Most of them have no identity documents and little or no education. They frequently live in unsanitary conditions, with little access to clean water or electricity. One member of the group put it this way: "We live in the dust. We eat dust. Dust is our destiny."

#dwdocumentary #freedocumentary #India
______

DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Subscribe to:
⮞ DW Documentary (English): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumentary
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocumental
⮞ DW Documentary (Arabic): https://www.youtube.com/dwdocarabia
⮞ DW Doku (German): https://www.youtube.com/dwdoku
⮞ DW Documentary (Hindi): https://www.youtube.com/dwdochindi

For more visit: http://www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/
Follow DW Documental on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwdocumental

We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: https://p.dw.com/p/MF1G