INDIA: A God for Mokhimpur

The 70-odd villagers of Mokhimpur in Uttar Pradesh were nobodies. Spurned by their neighbors because their subcaste was regarded as backward and ignorant, the Baghbhans of Mokhimpur had little to sustain them but their faith in the Hindus' God of Preservation, Vishnu. Some day—the Baghbhans have told each other for generations—Vishnu himself, in his reincarnation as Lord Ramachandra. would turn up in their village in the guise of a sadhu, or holy man, and from then on. all would be well. This faith has long made their village a favorite target for...

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