Women's Feature Service, March 25th, 2002
Vellore, (WFS) -- Hajipura in the Vellore District of northern Tamil Nadu is a small hamlet of thatched roof dwellings, open drainage and narrow mud roads.
Assembled at the local child-care centre, about 50 children aged between three to 14 years share one small room and a corridor for their classes. Not that these children are complaining about the lack of space. Because sitting in the cramped place is still much better than making beedis (hand rolled cigarettes) all day long, which is what the older generations have been doing all their lives.
For instance, 54-year-old Hajeera Bi has been ...
HighBeam Research, Free Preview: 'Beedis and Human Bondage'... Full Membership required for unlimited access. Free 7-day trial.
Subscribers: HighBeam content is only available to HighBeam subscribers. Click the link above for more information.
