Bellary:
The iron ore of Bellary in Karnataka was such a source of wealth that people working in the industry thought they were set for life. Not just big mine owners - even ordinary workers dared to dream. But with the suspension of mining in the district following large scale violations, their dreams are crumbling. NDTV met the family of one such lorry driver who has his back against the wall.
Like all of us, Govinda had dreams for himself and his family. After 9 years as a cleaner for lorries that plied in the Bellary iron ore trade, he worked his way up to driving a truck himself. Looking at the booming iron ore industry around him - and the huge demand for transport lorries, he took what seemed a safe decision. He took a bank loan and bought a truck of his own. Now, with mining activity suspended, he is in financial trouble.
"I drive my own lorry. In order to support my children, look after my mother - I took a bank loan and bought a lorry. But it has been a huge problem for the last three months. The big people have done wrong things - and we are paying the price. The bank has given me a notice - we have gone and pleaded with them, said sorry, please wait for the mines to open, we will pay then - but they have given me a letter saying they will seize the vehicle. The bank has given us some time but says we must pay by the month end - even if we have to sell our house," said Govinda, a lorry driver.
Govinda has two children and also supports his parents.
"We don't have money. If we need to see a doctor we can't afford it. The big people have hidden away bundles of money, they have stored up silver and gold - but what are we supposed to do? We can't even afford a nose-ring," said Sampurnamma, Govinda's mother.
"I get around Rs 500 - how do we pay the driver and cleaner in this? They are also in the same position as us. What do we give them and what do we keep ourselves. I have to pay the loan instalment, the road tax, the lorry maintenance," added Govinda.
Govinda's family is one of thousands in Bellary district that depended on mining for a living. But now he is in financial difficulty because mining activity has been suspended in the district. He is just one of the many thousands paying the price for the misdeeds of others.