By Josh Chin (’07)

HOSPET – This once green town in Bellary District in the heart of southern India has recently turned the color of rust.

The same reddish-brown tone stains the walls of restaurants, the sides of cars, and the fur of stray cats dodging autoricksaws in the dusty streets. At the relatively luxurious Hotel Malligi in the center of town, it tints the towels and sheets—and covers everyone who ventures outside.

“It’s everywhere,” P.N. Sreepad, the Malligi’s owner, warns a recently arrived guest. “You cannot escape it.”

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