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Survey conducted in Gavipuram slum
A recent visit to one of the semi-developed slums in Gavipuram, Bangalore revealed a new world to us Walk Free members Bharath Aditya, Vinay Karthik, Vishwa Kiran, Aishwarya Ganesh and Nisha Rao. What started out to be a normal survey for signs of Modern Slavery changed our perspectives.
All five of us met up at 11am on 18th of January near the slum and discussed the questions we wanted to ask them. Our translator was Aishwarya Ganesh, who could speak Tamil; a language the residents were more comfortable with. We engaged the residents into conversations and recorded their replies, posing as students collecting information for our college magazine. So far, there was no sign of the evils we were looking for.
Caption: One of the families we found in the entrace of the slum
Entering into the slum was like entering into another world. Heaps of garbage, stagnant dirty water, narrow lanes and hundreds of buzzing flies welcomed us. The one problem they all complained about was of bathroom facilities. The toilets they used were public bathrooms which were not only farther away from their residence, but also were in pathetic conditions. Even though some houses had an attached toilet, poor ventilation and lack of an efficient drainage system made them useless. Water availability was the second pressing issue, followed by unemployment and bad health.
Entering into the slum was like entering into another world. Heaps of garbage, stagnant dirty water, narrow lanes and hundreds of buzzing flies welcomed us. The one problem they all complained about was of bathroom facilities. The toilets they used were public bathrooms which were not only farther away from their residence, but also were in pathetic conditions. Even though some houses had an attached toilet, poor ventilation and lack of an efficient drainage system made them useless. Water availability was the second pressing issue, followed by unemployment and bad health.
Caption: Spending time with kids enquiring about child labour and abuse
We spoke to some teenage girls who were somewhat educated and asked if prostitution, harassment and trafficking were an issue in the neighbourhood. We were happy and relieved that these were not present here like in some slums. We also posed questions about child labour and child harassment, which were also absent, thankfully, in this place. What we found out from kids, elders, residents and all other folks was that children are going to schools regularly and are doing okay.
We spoke to some teenage girls who were somewhat educated and asked if prostitution, harassment and trafficking were an issue in the neighbourhood. We were happy and relieved that these were not present here like in some slums. We also posed questions about child labour and child harassment, which were also absent, thankfully, in this place. What we found out from kids, elders, residents and all other folks was that children are going to schools regularly and are doing okay.
Caption: A picture after enquiries
There was one heart warming scene to which I believe we were lucky to come across; Kids making Tomato curry in a small bowl over a small paper fire. That day in Gavipuram slum had taught us that Modern Slavery did not have a root there, but problems of equal severity that affected their daily life. When we left that “another world” we had learnt two things – How vivid and difficult life is and how to make a tomato curry.
There was one heart warming scene to which I believe we were lucky to come across; Kids making Tomato curry in a small bowl over a small paper fire. That day in Gavipuram slum had taught us that Modern Slavery did not have a root there, but problems of equal severity that affected their daily life. When we left that “another world” we had learnt two things – How vivid and difficult life is and how to make a tomato curry.
Caption: The tomato curry being prepared
After hearing the voice clippings once again and seeing the place first hand, we can draw these conclusions from our visit –
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Conclusion –After hearing the voice clippings once again and seeing the place first hand, we can draw these conclusions from our visit –
- Modern slavery is absent in Gavipuram slum
- Sanitation and poor drainage system are THE pressing issues
- Water shortage is very apparent
- Unemployment
- Health issues due to sickly environment
- Lack of English knowledge among kids and teenagers
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Any facts, figures or references stated here are made by the author & don't reflect the endorsement of iU at all times unless otherwise drafted by official staff at iU. This article was first published here on 13th August 2016.
