Amid Debate on Tobacco Curbs, Beedi Workers Ask 'What About Us' | Read

When NDTV visited the primary school at Pulichedu village in Medak district of Telangana, Navya was writing her Maths exam. But there was apparently a lot more on her mind than just numbers. She had come to school on an empty stomach, because her mother, who earns a living rolling beedis, had not got any work for a week. And only today got work under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Teachers say the 10-year-old is very bright and are as worried as Navya herself that she may have to drop out soon.