Tale of Desperation and Hope

From John Alexander
This pic was taken at dusk by the River Matla a mile down a muddy path opposite our modest abode here. The mud cabins become increasingly dilapidated the closer we get to the river bank. Under the rampart which keeps the rising waters at bay are even smaller mud cabins rising out of lakes of water like the crannógs of ancient Ireland.
These are homes of Bangladeshi refugees desperate to get a toe hold in India. They survive here by whatever means, smuggling, fishing, etc. for they have no land.
After five years they can register as poor residents and can be awarded a small plot to grow vegetables.
Like many people here the women might be left to mind the crops and the men might go to Kolkata to seek work as rickshaw pulleys or whatever.

Bangladeshi refugee children hoping for a brighter future