TODAY, society has reached the 21st century, but the upper caste people of Subhai village in Joshimath, a remote development block in Chamoli district, are still living in the 16th century. In this village, even today, if a person does not attend meetings, the powerful people of the village punish him by imposing hefty fines. In May 2024, during the Baisakhi fair, drummer, Pushkar Lal was ordered by these bullies to play the drums all night despite being ill.