These women were most likely walking home after their long, tiring workday.
The heat goes on …
I snapped this photo at the end of a hot afternoon. Given their appearance, it's obvious that these ladies are not out for a pleasant stroll, nor for an evening of indulgent shopping.
After spending the day working in the hot sun, they’re most likely returning to their simple home for a basic but much-needed meal. The meal will probably comprise nothing more than a few staples – and meager portions at that.
These ladies are among the millions of lower-caste people who build, grow, and develop India. They do virtually all the work – building the shiny new condos and office towers, constructing the roads and infrastructure, working in the fields and the factories.
Turn up the heat
However, apart from their minimal wages, they cannot benefit from the development. While these lower-caste citizens work long and hard, the only ones who can really take advantage of the growth are the upper-caste people.
Eventually, the situation will have to change, and the upper-castes will start to feel the heat. Hopefully, they will experience a real “heat wave.”
Then, these ladies will have more than a bit of color in their lives. They will also have some comfort and joy.
