SLUM AND ITS LIVING CONDITION

Slums are known for its erroneous grungy substandard living. The dwellers of these slums live in such unhygenic conditions that they are prone to different diseases. They don't have proper sanitation (forget about separate washroom for male & female). Garbage seems to be an important part of their life which is very sad. Slums have very raunchy living conditions. Children in slums grow up in those unsatisfactory conditions.

The inhabitants of slum keep on migrating here and there for just one time meal. For slum dwellers, food is more important than their identity for survival which I guess is sad for our developing India. Daily lives of people dwelling in slums are defined by drugs, alcohal, sexual abuse.. Deficient environment and health problems are part and parcel of their life.

The slum dwellers generally live in huts made of corrugated iron which usually house about 10 people. They don't have paved roads or even the basic infrastructure, i.e, pure water, electricity or sewage system. During rainy season, hut bog down in mud. The flood not only carry away their houses but also the inhabitants. The danger of epidemic out break is very high at that time. Some major ailments through which slum dwellers suffer are measles, cold, flu, typhoid and so on. Generally hospitals don't admit them and they don't get any support from police or government as well.

I think it's high time now that the government should include slums in their development plans because slums are a major part of our nation.

Shailja Jha is pursuing her bachelors from Patna Women's College in Communicative English with Media Studies. She loves writing. She has keen interest in singing as well.