The rural poor in Tamil Nadu lead lives of hardship and poverty. Unemployment is widespread and wages are low with families often having to exist on an annual income of less than £250 per annum. The benefits of recent Indian economic growth have not yet reached them, nor are they liable to for some time to come.

There are no state benefits available for unemployment, sickness or old age. Individuals must rely on the family to provide for them if they are unable to earn. Unemployment is rife and seasonal with the majority of jobs being hard manual ones in the agricultural or salt pan sector. The work in the salt pans is particularly hard with occupational health problems causing leg ulcers and sight and stomach
disorders.

Education and health care is free but of poor standard and badly underfunded. Government officials are invariably corrupt, and for the poorly educated low caste poor, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain any help from them.

Malnutrition is widespread due to poor and inadequate diets. At least half the children of the rural poor have some form of malnutrition. This stunts their physical and brain growth, leaves them vulnerable to illness and disease and reduces their ability to learn. In adults it advances the effects of old age and reduces life expectancy.

This area of Tamil Nadu is drought prone. The only significant rain comes from the north easterly monsoon which falls in October and November. Water tables are dropping and aquifers receding due to excessive drawing of water. Government water supplies are inadequate, not treated sufficiently, and are not continuous, especially in summer months. It is not uncommon for village pipe lines to operate for only a few hours every third or fourth day. When it does come the water is often brackish. Villagers suffer from dehydration, fevers and stomach illnesses and the women have to spend a lot of time and effort searching for and carrying home supplies of water.