On Sept. 9, tens of thousands of Indian farmers in West Bengal renewed militant protests and sit-ins at the Tata plant where Nano—the world’s cheapest car at less than $2,500—is scheduled to begin production in October. The protests have brought construction of the plant to a standstill for weeks.
Farmers are demanding higher compensation for the land grab imposed upon them. Additionally, they are seeking the return 300 out of the 1000 acres that have been appropriated for the plant.
The few who have been fortunate enough to be hired by Tata are struggling. Some have no understanding of English, the language spoken by the engineers. The farmers know that they are unlikely to find jobs due to lack of training and fear that they will not be able to take care of their families without their land.
