 |
| Nigaar and me in the slum. As you can clearly see, I am (freezing) and feel bad :( |
Visiting the Slums of Dhaula Koan was a rather interesting experience. Seeing a slum with people in miserable conditions is something I had expected to see in India. With movies such as Slumdog Millionaire, everyone is aware about so called “breeding grounds” of crime, illness and misery. I was curious to go and explore the Slum at Dhaula Koan. Sanjay , Nigaar from Sulabh and I went to the site at about 11 am. The slum there was about 25 years old and was situated right behind the Singaporian and UK embassies in Delhi (ah ha!). People were just waking up and having breakfast, washing clothes or just sitting outside in the sun. The slum, was definitely another world by itself. The tiny rooms into which I had to literally kneel to get in, shared by 4-5 members of the family, is pretty sad. During the rainy season or flash flooding.They all use public restrooms and live crammed up! I went to the slum thinking that I would find people crying, begging and whining. But I was surprised to find that even though the living conditions were much below poverty line, everyone seemed content. The males of the family went to work, the mothers cleaned, washed and cooked and the elderly just sat outside the unstable shelter which they call home. I was allowed to enter couple of the houses and interview the residents. They all said their life, since it was winter, was definitely much better than the summer or rainy season when diseases, discomfort and potable water scarcity is at its peak. Most people looked like as if they haven't had food since weeks, and the kids were playing around as if they had everything in the world to satisfy them right there. But very surprisingly they were content, and smiled and welcomed to their little homes which I barely could stretch in (yes...i feel like a giant!). It is sad to find that people still perform open defection even though portable toilets and latrine facilities have been provided to the people. I feel there is a attitude change and increase of awareness necessary among the people about sanitation, hygiene so that they at least if not totally eliminate, eradicate the causes of illnesses.
2. That poor soul has a tube in his nose to get in medications which was placed months ago and he doesn't have the money to visit the doctor to get further consultation. His daughter in law sits beside him, trying to clean the wounds on his feet.
3. Slums- two men kind of posing???
4. Kid plays cricket with his friends but takes time out to look and smile at me! :) Note the falling roof of his home. :(
5. 15 year old girl gets some cleaning done at home while her mother- in -law is gone to dry clothes outside. She has never been to school and was married 2 months back.
6. Cute baby!!!!!!
7. Look behind the man?? Indian slum hoarding or whatttt???
8. Kids looking out of their homes. The elder sister was looking through some rag she picked up during early morning.
I found this interesting article too....check it out!!! --http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/12/community-doctors/rosenberg-text/1
