It's Wondrous Words Wednesday!

Wondrous Words Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Kathy at Bermuda Onion, where we share new (to us) words that we’ve encountered in our reading. I'm excited because this is my first time participating!
I've only encountered one unfamiliar word in the book I'm currently reading; The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach. I will say I'm enjoying it so far, so much better, for what I'm currently in the mood for anyway, than her Tulip Fever.  Or maybe it's just because I am so looking forward to the film even if it is about a bunch of old codgers like Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Billy Nighy and Tom Wilkinson! The story takes place primarily in India and the word is part of the Indian vocabulary dating back aways!
The Wondrous Word I encountered is 
Punkah Wallah ... this is actually two Hindi words.  According to Merriam-Webster a 'wallah' is the person who operates the 'punkah'. The punkah is: a fan used especially in India that consists of a canvas-covered frame suspended from the ceiling and that is operated by a cord.
I hope there is not much call for a punkah wallah in modern day India!