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Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu
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“I wouldn’t say we are poor. But we are not rich, either.”

H lived with his wife, daughter, and two sons in a rented house on the outskirts of a large city. H sold paan (a mildly sweet betel leaf preparation), and said that his work had been successful enough for them to be able to manage their expenses without much anxiety. His oldest son had only just finished taking a degree in engineering, and some time ago had even sent a paper on quantum physics to NASA. When he received an invitation to present his paper in New Jersey, H’s son panicked at the travel costs involved and declined to go.

The largest contributors to their monthly expenses were the fees for their children’s education. When his daughter turns 21, H said, he would decide whether he should get her married or provide for her further education.

H and his wife also had another child, but he died two years ago when he was six years old. H’s wife showed us a picture of a child with a beautiful smile,“He was mentally challenged. We spent all of our savings on his medical expenses. We borrowed more money and spent that, too. We tried everything, from therapy to Ayurvedic medicine. But we could not change anything. Life is not fair.”

She closed the album shut.