P. Sainath The complaints are many and often justified. People are sometimes exasperated by the way the NREGA system works. But there is unanimity on its worth and value. Gadasu Ramulu, past 70: Hunger and rising prices are driving the old and the very young to work. In the time of crisis, NREGA work is their lifeline. He says he is not 70 but is, in fact, "quite a few years older.' "Anyway, how can I tell exactly?' But age has not stopped Gadasu Ramulu from doing hard physical labour in searing temperatures well above 43 degrees Celsius in Nalgonda. There have been nearly 60 heat wave deaths here in two months, the highest for any district in Andhra Pradesh this year. His passbook shows he has worked 39 days at the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act site since such work began at his village of Tatikolu. At the other end of the age spectrum are many in their early teens trying to pass off as adults in order to get some work and help out their families. Hunger and rising prices are driving the old and the very young to the work. In this time of crisis, "NREG work' is their lifeline. Gadasu Ramulu thinks it's a good programme. "It should be there,' he says. His wife Anjamma insists: "Listen, it's essential. We won't eat without it.' Then why does the record show he only worked three days at the site in the past 10 days or so? "Look at me,' he says. "This is hard work and it is very hot. So typically I work four days and rest four days. I cannot do it continuously for a week. Sometimes I find other work that might pay less but is lighter. I'd like to do both, actually. In truth, you do what you get