InfoSearched
Published -
- April 11, 2020
- 2:02 pm
Our team traveled to Mumbai, India, to get the inside scoop on Dharavi, widely considered the largest slum in Asia. We met with the real people of Dharavi, the slum that inspired the movie, Slumdog Millionaire.
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How are some residents of Dharavi improving their lives through entrepreneurship and hard work?
Recently, the YouTube channel Asian Boss published a video titled “We Spent a Day in the Largest Slum in India,” showcasing the reality of Dharavi, located in Mumbai. Dharavi is known to be one of the largest slums in Asia, with an estimated population of over one million residents living in an area of just over 1.7 square kilometers.
The video follows a group of people from different countries, who visited Dharavi to experience the living conditions and understand the daily lives of its residents. The video sheds light on the challenges faced by the people living in the slum and also highlights the success stories of some of its residents, who through entrepreneurship and hard work, are making a better life for themselves and their families.
The journey begins with the group visiting a leather-making workshop, which is a significant part of Dharavi’s economy. The workshop is small in size, but it has a workforce of over 200 workers crafting various leather products, including bags, wallets, and belts. The video goes on to interview some of the workers who are mostly migrants from other states in India. They work long hours every day, yet their income is meager, and the working conditions are less than ideal.
The group then visits a family-run pottery business. It is here that the video showcases the resilience and resourcefulness of the residents of Dharavi. The family has lived in the slum for generations and continues to carry forward their heritage by designing and producing clay pots using traditional methods. Despite facing numerous setbacks, including setbacks due to COVID-19, the family continues to persevere and keep their business running.
Further on, the group meets a woman who runs a kindergarten in the slum. The kindergarten provides an opportunity for young children to learn and play while their parents are at work. The woman has been running the kindergarten for over 20 years and treats the children like her own.
Additionally, the video highlights the sanitation issues faced by the residents of Dharavi. The lack of proper sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices create an environment that is conducive to the spread of infectious diseases. However, the efforts of organizations such as the Dharavi Biennale Foundation are helping to improve the situation. The foundation is made up of artists, architects, and designers who are working with the community to create art installations and public spaces that make the slum a more pleasant place to live.
In conclusion, the Asian Boss video “We Spent a Day in the Largest Slum in India” offers a rare and insightful look into the lives of the residents of Dharavi. It highlights the many challenges faced by the people living in the slum and the remarkable resilience, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial spirit of those who call Dharavi home. Despite the many issues facing Dharavi, the people in this community continue to face these challenges head-on with a spirit of determination and hope for a better future.
