Story of Ramu
Ramu, a resident of Raipur village, works as a casual laborer primarily in the agricultural sector. His family comprises his wife, Sunhari, and five children—four sons and two daughters, of whom only the eldest son, Somu, aged 10, is employed as a pali (cow herder) for the village Sarpanch. He receives a small annual wage of Rs 1,000, which barely suffices for their basic needs.
Ramu's agricultural work is seasonal, with employment available mainly during sowing, transplanting, and harvesting. He faces about four months of unemployment when he seeks alternative work, sometimes in construction or brick-laying. Despite his efforts, Ramu often struggles to secure sufficient food for his family, particularly during periods of unemployment, leading to instances where his children sleep without food. Milk and vegetables are luxury items and not part of their regular diet, illustrating their dire food insecurity.
This narrative encapsulates the broader socio-economic challenges faced by rural laborers in India, especially the difficulties posed by seasonal work and the unrelenting threat of hunger and poverty.