Slumdog kids hit a home run

Yet again MHADA promises child stars new homes before the monsoons after demolitions at Garib Nagar leave them homelessu00a0

The Garib Nagar slums in Bandra bore a desolate look yesterday after a second round of demolitions in the span of a week. But while most of the slum dwellers were left scrambling for a shelter just as the city experienced the first showers of the season, two families saw a silver lining behind the dark clouds.



Amarjeet Singh Manhas, chairman of MHADA's Mumbai board, has assured that Slumdog Millionaire stars Azharuddin Mohammad Ismail whose house was among those demolished by the BMC on May 16 and Rubina Ali Qureshi whose house was among those demolished yesterday by railway authorities will have a home of their own before the monsoons hit the city.

Tiny error

In fact, he added, they would have got their flats by now had the MHADA not made a tiny error that inadvertently delayed the process.

MHADA had recommended the names of both the kids for MHADA flats in February.

Explaining what went wrong, Manhas said, "We had sent our recommendation to the CM on February 24, but forgot to mention the category under which they should get a house. Before we could do something, the code of conduct was implemented, thus, halting the process."

Now, with the elections behind us and the code of conduct coming to an end, the MHADA will look into the issue once again. "The CM has already given a nod to the plan, but the official decision was pending because of the code of conduct. We expect it to come through by the first week of June. The Slumdog kids won't be without a shelter this monsoon," promised Manhas.

'No warning'

Meanwhile, Rubina told MiD DAY, "The railways hadn't informed us [about the demolition] in advance. They even beat up my father when he protested."

The railway authorities have denied the charges. One senior official said, "We had sent them notices in advance. They are encroachers, so it can't matter who lives there."

Home truth?

Families of the Slumdog kids are doubtful about the veracity of the promise. Azharuddin's father, Mohammed Ismail said, "I remember the announcement made by MHADA, but nothing materialised. This update has raised my hopes once again. Giving us a home will show that the government recognises my son's contribution to the country."

Rubina's mother echoed Ismail's views. "We have been hearing this for months, but so far nothing has happened. I don't think we will ever get a house," said Munni Qureshi.