These workers keep the brick kilns burning despite hardships
In Barkhedi Abdulla, a village dotted with brick kilns, local and migrant workers continue to toil under the sun despite hardships, hoping that the clay they mould will shape their lives for the better.
Brick kiln worker Lal Chand and his wife start the first step in the brick-making process by meticulously turning over the soil, after ensuring that it is of the right texture and quality (Photo by Prateek Anand)
The workers mix the clay with water to make the clay soft and even, so that it can be easily moulded (Photo by Prateek Anand)
A brick kiln in Barkhedi Abdulla village, where the blended mixture of clay and water is allowed to rest and mature for a period ranging from 24 to 48 hours (Photo by Prateek Anand)
A woman works under the hot sun, mixing the clay and keeping portions of it apart so that they can be made into bricks (Photo by Prateek Anand)
A migrant young bride in the Barkhedi Abdulla village, which is far from home, presses the clay mix into rectangular moulds. Though she misses her old life, moulding each brick gives her hope for a better life (Photo by Prateek Anand)
The clay is shaped into bricks in rectangular moulds, and the demoulded bricks are arranged in rows on the ground to be dried under the sunlight (Photo by Prateek Anand)
The sun-dried clay bricks are stacked into clamps, ready to be fired so that they are strong enough to be used. These workers feel double the heat as they have to bear the heat of the sun and also the kiln (Photo by Prateek Anand)
The brick workers’ thatched huts within the premises of the brick kilns have a low ceiling, reaching about 4.5 feet in height. Inside, the workers endure back pain from stooping. A girl of 5 feet 4 inches stands next to one of the huts, highlighting their living conditions that lead to physical strain (Photo by Prateek Anand)
Children of the brick kiln workers play around the site. They do not go to school since the anganwadis are generally far and there are no transport facilities. Though they are happy to play around, the lack of education leads the children to the same work later. These children were seen eating roti with salt (Photo by Prateek Anand)
A young worker breaks coal to support his family, having sacrificed his studies. This coal from the mines of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh is crucial to fire the brick kiln (Photo by Prateek Anand)
The lead image shows a brick kiln worker setting portions of clay mixture apart, to be moulded into bricks (Photo by Prateek Anand)
Prateek Anand is pursuing an MBA in rural management at Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar. With a profound commitment to the development sector, he is inclined to improving the lives of marginalised communities.