Samugam settlements are at risk without funds to stay afloat

Between cyclones and housing developments, it’s struggle to get by, writes Séamus Ó Tuama

People sit near a wall mural in the French quarter of Pondicherry on February 9, 2021. Picture: Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images

WHEN we arrived at the Jally childrens’ home at the end of a maze of tiny higgledy-piggledy streets, in the less salubrious neighbourhoods of Pondicherry — out raced happy smiling children.

Yes that’s the cliché description, except this time the cliché is apt.