India Ukre Giya: Loss and Change in Light of and in the Shadows of War

Abstract The Thar Desert is located at the confluence of Sindh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. region’s folklore refers to desert as a sea through which cast warriors, merchants, adventurers traveled. Oral histories connect it with business subsistence exchanges. These tell crossing Rann Kutch (i.e., into India from Pakistan). They illustrate strong connection between Tharparkar (in Pakistani province Sindh) Gujarat India). Even after Partition in 1947, people goods continued moving back forth Tharparkar, However, India-Pakistan wars 1965 1971, became increasingly disconnected Gujarat. By late 1980s, fencing border resulted two areas becoming disconnected. In light shadows 1971 wars, expressions “India ukre giya” permanently India) “harass” fear) common. This article explores these relation “loss” emotional pain among Tharis).