Slum-dwellers often get a repulsive or a sympathetic response from the ‘middle-class’ people, and Poor Little Rich Slum tries its best to generate responses other than the aforementioned via a collection of stories straight from the heart of Dharavi (Yes, the same slum you witnessed four years ago in Danny Boyle’s magnum opus- Slumdog Millionaire).
Rashni Bansal and Deepak Gandhi have an outsider’s take at the slum, and the impact this book creates is almost identical to a slum tour- a very journalistic technique has been rendered to the narration, but the description is pretty disorganized and could fall an easy prey to the Grammar Nazis. The paragraphs are all unrelated, and each para spans about two to three lines. Dee Gandhi’s small pictures in every story do well to keep the ideas flowing.
There are four sections featured in the book-
Dharavi What Ees?
This section contributes several stances on Dharavi (and this section is my personal favorite from the book)- the residents’ living conditions, tales of the greedy builders, government’s total lack of concern, and bubbling hope that still features in people’s life to make their future better. The detailed insight into how life is lived in Dharavi is quite convincingly stated.
The Incubator
This section brims with the stories of slum-dwellers who’ve made it big on their own terms, living in Dharavi itself. Resolution, sweet sweat, and living the good life is what these stories are all about.
Cauldron of Change
This sections features people and organizations who are trying hard to make a difference in Dharavi. Social activists, social workers, non-government organizations (NGOs) and all their people-driven initiatives is what makes up this section.
The Future
This is the last section of the book that talks of the uncertainty that clouds the future of Dharavi. With the government still looking into what plans will work out best for these people, and the greedy builders all lined up to sweep up their land to build up their high-rise structures, residents and the social workers debate over the best way to proceed unitedly to live a comfortable life of dignity.
The book’s strong point lies in showing up a sympathetic character in every slum-dwelling entrepreneur. It’s hard not to flow into their story while reading in amazement, but that amazement is somewhat short-lived. How they laugh off their problems teach you one-two things about life, but the stories they tell, for you, remains just that- a story. While the shantytown people may find this book motivating, this book is definitely not for you or me. Buy this book only if you want to engage in a narrative that revolves around Dharavi.
You may order your copy here: 
[highlight]Overall rating: 3/5[/highlight]
Slum-dwellers often get a repulsive or a sympathetic response from the ‘middle-class’ people, and Poor Little Rich Slum tries its best to generate responses other than the aforementioned via a collection of stories straight from the heart of Dharavi (Yes, the same slum you witnessed four years ago in Danny Boyle’s magnum opus- Slumdog Millionaire).
Rashni Bansal and Deepak Gandhi have an outsider’s take at the slum, and the impact this book creates is almost identical to a slum tour- a very journalistic technique has been rendered to the narration, but the description is pretty disorganized and could fall an easy prey to the Grammar Nazis. The paragraphs are all unrelated, and each para spans about two to three lines. Dee Gandhi’s small pictures in every story do well to keep the ideas flowing.
There are four sections featured in the book-
Dharavi What Ees?
This section contributes several stances on Dharavi (and this section is my personal favorite from the book)- the residents’ living conditions, tales of the greedy builders, government’s total lack of concern, and bubbling hope that still features in people’s life to make their future better. The detailed insight into how life is lived in Dharavi is quite convincingly stated.
The Incubator
This section brims with the stories of slum-dwellers who’ve made it big on their own terms, living in Dharavi itself. Resolution, sweet sweat, and living the good life is what these stories are all about.
Cauldron of Change
This sections features people and organizations who are trying hard to make a difference in Dharavi. Social activists, social workers, non-government organizations (NGOs) and all their people-driven initiatives is what makes up this section.
The Future
This is the last section of the book that talks of the uncertainty that clouds the future of Dharavi. With the government still looking into what plans will work out best for these people, and the greedy builders all lined up to sweep up their land to build up their high-rise structures, residents and the social workers debate over the best way to proceed unitedly to live a comfortable life of dignity.
The book’s strong point lies in showing up a sympathetic character in every slum-dwelling entrepreneur. It’s hard not to flow into their story while reading in amazement, but that amazement is somewhat short-lived. How they laugh off their problems teach you one-two things about life, but the stories they tell, for you, remains just that- a story. While the shantytown people may find this book motivating, this book is definitely not for you or me. Buy this book only if you want to engage in a narrative that revolves around Dharavi.
You may order your copy here:
[highlight]Overall rating: 3/5[/highlight]