Welcome to India — Season 1, Episode 2: Recycling
58 min • 1 season, 3 episodes • ★ 8.5/10
Episode synopsis
Johora started out as a rag-picker, but through building a bottle recycling business on a railway embankment, she has big ambitions for her family of seven kids. When the local gangsters increase their protection payment demands, she boldly takes out a big loan and attempts to push her illegal business to another level. And it's not just small waste. Kanye uses a handheld blowtorch to cut up ships discarded by the rest of the world, helping satisfy India's thirst for steel. His dangerous but relatively well-paid job educates his three daughters and provides his ticket to a brighter future. But his hopes are in jeopardy when he is laid off. Ashik buys up beef fat from the abattoir and proudly renders it down to make tallow. It looks disgusting, even before he is plagued by a maggot infestation. But this thrifty use of waste may well be destined for your soap or cosmetics.
About Welcome to India
With astonishing access into the densest districts of Kolkata and Mumbai, this three-part documentary for BBC2 celebrates the impressive resourcefulness, resilience and unbridled pragmatism of those living and working there.