Flouride-hit rat-eating men can't find brides
Wednesday, November 7, 2001
Men in a western Indian village are struggling to find brides because of their contaminated water and eating habits.

A very high fluoride content in the underground water in Bhoop Nagar leads to early ageing and physical deformities including bending of limbs.

The residents of the tiny hamlet are reportedly also notorious for their skill in rat catching and then eating the rodents.

The 30-year-old elected head of the village looks 15 years older than he should and his back has started bending, reports The Times of India.

The man, quoted only as Sujit in the paper, was married only last year, but says he may have to lose his wife because of an ultimatum from his father-in-law.

He does not want his daughter staying in the village and has demanded Sujit choose between her and his home.

Sujit is luckier than many of his bachelor friends, who say they can't find brides - mainly because of the water problems.

Local medical officer Latafat Hussain said the fluoride content in Bhoop Nagar's water is 4.5 mg per litre against the acceptable limit of 0.5 mg.

Bhoop Nagar, according to official statistics, is a 29-house hamlet with a total population of 234.

View all news items

Return to the main news page | Top of Page | Return to the main archive page