As of most of the countries, poverty, destitution and slums are the destiny of India too. No prosperous and advanced city is void of such slums, which continue to pass snide smiles on them. Their houses yearn for sunlight, water, etc. The continuous foul smell, emanating from their streets, passes over their bodies all the time. The residents of these slums remain virtually unclothed in extreme summers and winters. How they make their living, what they eat, how they get treatment for their ailing bodies and how bright the future of their children is are few of the things that are not hard to imagine.
According to a survey done by Planning Commission of India, Delhi alone has 477 such slums. Clearly, it can be estimated that there would be more than 50,000 such slums and their population must be more than the collective population of dozens of small countries.
These slums, however, remain the core issue of the political parties during elections. Parties show interest in mitigating the inhumane conditions of the people and promise to alleviate them of their misery, once they come to power. Obviously, in this way they manage to secure bulk votes. However, once the elections are over, for years they do not turn their attention to these slums. Had the leaders taken the betterment of slums as their moral responsibility, the miseries of the downtrodden would not have continued to exist even after 65 long years of independence.
Now, the slums ask the well-to-do, honest and empathisers of the society whether they can alleviate some of their pains, or whether they can bring in some moment of happiness in their lives. If yes, they should think about taking the first stride for this journey.
The first step could be the survey of a slum. One must go, either alone or with a group and understand the needs of the slums and the problems people are facing there. Then it should also be explored whether any government or private agency has turned to them. If not, then this slum should be your field area.
You must look out for young boys and girls in the slum who are educated, or pursuing education and can spend an hour or two to educate the children of the slum at a suitable place. If this work can be done with the help of local people, then necessary items like books, notebooks, pencils, etc. should be provided by the group, along with some scholarships and awards so as to motivate them for studies.
Muslim children of the slums should be imparted religious knowledge. They should be taught the Qur’ān, and special arrangements be made to align them with the Qur’ān and Allah. If this cannot be done on a daily basis, then weekly classes must be organised.
A health survey of the slum should also be done; on the basis of this survey they should be educated on health issues and taught about the ills of vices like gambling, alcohol, smack, etc. From time to time there should be arrangements for moral lectures and hand bills should be distributed so as to aware the general public regarding the ill-effects of the vices.
Because of malnutrition and other bad habits, people of the locality suffer from many ailments and diseases. They generally do not have enough resources for the treatment and private hospitals charge so much that it is almost impossible to pay. However, they cannot be left as they are along with their ailments, instead arrangements for free dispensary, blood check-up camp, mobile medical camp, free medicines, etc. should be made.
Once done with the above mentioned tasks, one should look out for other empathisers, justice-loving and sympathetic people of the city and make them aware of the initial efforts done for the betterment of the people. If possible, these people should be persuaded to visit the localities so that they can see the condition with their own eyes.
A list of poor, destitute, widows, orphans, etc. should be made and handed over to the empathisers and welfare organisations so as to draw their attention towards the cause. A fixed monthly pension for the needy could alleviate some of their miseries. Provision for collective Nikah for young girls and boys is another pious deed.
Slum dwellers are more in need of our attention during Eid and other festivities. Special arrangements should be made to ensure that the amount of sadaqua-e-fitr and zakat reach them so that they could also join in the celebrations. Similarly, arrangements should be made to deliver the meat of the sacrificial animals on the occasion of Eid-al-Adha.
One of the greatest help of these people would be by giving them some employment. Interest-free loans and microfinance are some of the options that could be tried. Self Help Group for women should be formed. Training Centre for women could also be established under government schemes. One should draw the attention of the government institutions through letters, RTI and if possible, by directly meeting the authorities concerned. According to the skills of the youths, they should be given employment under Rozgar Guarantee Scheme and other related schemes, in order to make them independent. They can be given various jobs at their homes only. Another need of these people is home, which can be taken care of if we educate them about the various housing schemes launched by the government and work with them in order to realise their dream of home.
It would be a great cause if some sympathetic and mature people turn their attention towards the slums. If some of their needs get fulfilled by your little contribution, then these poor people will pray for you forever.
Come! Let’s start the service from somewhere.
[Translated from Urdu by Kamran Shahid Ansari]