Monica of Bagrote: When a Stranger Becomes Family
By Syed Shamsuddin Follow on X Facebook Some people visit a place, some work there—but a rare few give so much of themselves that, over time, the distinction between visitor and local simply disappears. Monica, a renowned anthropologist, first came to this region some 35 years ago to undertake her fieldwork in Bagrote Valley. What began as an academic engagement gradually evolved into something far deeper. Over the years, she became so profoundly attached to the valley—its people, environment, culture and everyday life—that she was no longer merely a visitor or researcher; she had, in every meaningful sense, become part of the community. Her commitment eventually extended far beyond anthropological research. About two decades ago, she established a girls’ school in the valley, followed, some ten years ago, by a girls’ college at Datucheh. Remarkably, sh...
