Makrana - The Marble City
Makrana is the marble capital of India. It is renowned for producing fine-quality, elegant white marble, which also covers the Taj Mahal, one of the most recognisable buildings in the world and a symbol of eternal love. In stark contrast to the beauty and positive symbolism the Taj represents, Makrana, located in Rajasthan’s Nagaur District, is a town marked by sorrow, hardship and illegal working practices. Makrana is home to a number of small marble mines, which are difficult to regulate. Many fail to comply with the safety standards required by Indian law. The stakes are high for the workers earn around $2.50 for eight to ten hours hard labour, with approximately three deaths per month recorded.