According to the UN HABITAT (part of the United Nations), a simple definition of a slum would be "a heavily populated urban area characterised by substandard housing and squalor". A further UN group goes on to say that slums typically have the following characteristics: inadequate access to safe water, inadequate sanitation and other infrastructure, poor structural quality of housing, overcrowding and insecure residential status.
This is certainly true of the majority of Delhi's slums. The city's population is over 14 million. More than 4 million of these people live in slum colonies that are chronically overcrowded and lack even the most basic amenities. Although India's economy is growing and millions are prospering, the benefits do not reach the slum dwellers and the gap between rich and poor is growing ever wider.
Life in rural villages in India can be hard, with limited opportunities for employment. Millions travel from these areas in search of work and a better life, but find the cost of living in cities is crippling. Even if people can find work, accommodation can be impossible to afford. People set up makeshift shelters with whatever materials are to hand, and form settlements on waste ground or on pavements.
In 1947, 2 million people lived in Delhi. Now there are 6 times as many inhabitants, and the city's infrastructure is unable to cope with the strain of so many people. Meanwhile, population growth all over India restricts the number of jobs and opportunities available and people still expect to find a better life in the big cities.
Slum settlements can take root anywhere - next to railway lines, under bridges, on swampy ground or next to 5-star hotels, but the slum dwellers never own the land. They live in constant fear of eviction as the authorities can decide to reclaim land at any time, giving little notice.
Above: Thokar No. 8 is destroyed as workers light fires to force protesting residents to flee their homes.
Transformation of lives is possible through educating and creating awareness about health and hygiene and empowering people to lobby for their rights. I truly believe that these people can completely change their lives. We are only here to help them.
Sweeta, Senior Programme Assistant, Asha
