Dharavi is often called "Asia's largest slum" It is reported there are nearly 1 million people living in this area that is 0.67 square miles. National Geographic said that in some places in Dharavi 18,000 people are living in one acre. Dharavi is very close to our school and I have wanted to take a tour of it and just haven't gotten around to it. My friend Nancy is moving to Thailand this fall so she is trying to see a lot in Mumbai before she leaves so she and I headed out with our guide Felix. It was super hot out and we had to walk a lot.
People hear the word "slum" and think of a horrible place. In the US and other western places slum equates to a crime ridden poverty infested cesspool. Poor people tend to turn to a life of crime etc. It is not the case here. There are booming businesses in Dharavi. Years ago it was a lot worse off - poor people forced to lived there etc. But now there are wealthy people that live there and don't want to move out. People from all over India come to Dharai for jobs. Reality Tours is a company that does tours of Dharavi - you are not allowed to take pictures so as not to exploit the people. Since we did a private tour, we were allowed to take pictures in every place but one. They had child laborers and did not want it documented. Part of the reason that Reality Tours doesn't let anyone take pictures is because people take photos and videos and use them for documentaries etc to report how horrible the conditions are in Dharavi. I am convinced they are westerners not familiar with India and just came to see and report on Dharavi. I live in Bandra which is one of the nicer areas of Mumbai. I see slums in Bandra that are FAR worse than Dharavi! In Bandra I am hounded by beggars and have to walk around homeless sleeping and peeing on the street. We didn't encounter a single beggar once we got to Mahim and Dharavi. People had jobs and seemed happy. They children were much cleaner and better dressed. Our guide made sure to point out that the women had gold jewlery - not all of these people are horrible poor. I took a lot of pictures and most of the workers were happy to tell us about their jobs and how much money they make. They also asked for us to take pictures with them of course :)
We started our tour in Mahim (which a lot of people consider to be a part of Dharvi but isn't) They collect plastic from all over Dharavi and sort it, chop it, clean it, melt it etc. It is amazing how much plastic is there and how much is still left on the street!
They also make bread that is distributed all over Mumbai for sale. They make jeans and other clothing too. I have lots of pictures on facebook of other businesses they have in Mahim.
Dharavi - lots of very interesting businesses. I have a lot more pictures on facebook.
People hear the word "slum" and think of a horrible place. In the US and other western places slum equates to a crime ridden poverty infested cesspool. Poor people tend to turn to a life of crime etc. It is not the case here. There are booming businesses in Dharavi. Years ago it was a lot worse off - poor people forced to lived there etc. But now there are wealthy people that live there and don't want to move out. People from all over India come to Dharai for jobs. Reality Tours is a company that does tours of Dharavi - you are not allowed to take pictures so as not to exploit the people. Since we did a private tour, we were allowed to take pictures in every place but one. They had child laborers and did not want it documented. Part of the reason that Reality Tours doesn't let anyone take pictures is because people take photos and videos and use them for documentaries etc to report how horrible the conditions are in Dharavi. I am convinced they are westerners not familiar with India and just came to see and report on Dharavi. I live in Bandra which is one of the nicer areas of Mumbai. I see slums in Bandra that are FAR worse than Dharavi! In Bandra I am hounded by beggars and have to walk around homeless sleeping and peeing on the street. We didn't encounter a single beggar once we got to Mahim and Dharavi. People had jobs and seemed happy. They children were much cleaner and better dressed. Our guide made sure to point out that the women had gold jewlery - not all of these people are horrible poor. I took a lot of pictures and most of the workers were happy to tell us about their jobs and how much money they make. They also asked for us to take pictures with them of course :)
We started our tour in Mahim (which a lot of people consider to be a part of Dharvi but isn't) They collect plastic from all over Dharavi and sort it, chop it, clean it, melt it etc. It is amazing how much plastic is there and how much is still left on the street!
They also make bread that is distributed all over Mumbai for sale. They make jeans and other clothing too. I have lots of pictures on facebook of other businesses they have in Mahim.
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| really intricate cloth stamping |
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| separating the plastic from the wire |
Dharavi - lots of very interesting businesses. I have a lot more pictures on facebook.
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| thousands of eggs on one truck! |
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| printing and folding boxes |
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| making brooms with his feet |
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| leather making - briefcases |
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| pottery making shop |
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| sock making factory |
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