About 30 destitute girls and women, some with kids, who were being sheltered by and trained to enter the mainstream by a non-profit organisation stare at a bleak future after the civic body took back the premises allotted to the NGO on Monday. 'Support' had been using the space under the Dadar flyover since 1994 to run de-addiction and rehabilitation programmes for street girls.
Why did BMC evict the NGO?
The municipal administration had in May given a notice to Support, asking it to vacate the space within six months. The BMC had reasoned that the space was a public utility and could not be given to the NGO on a leave and licence basis.
Why didn't Support move out on its own?
'Support' officials said they were unable to find an alternative place. "We were assured by the BMC that we would be given another space in Matunga. We even saw one plot in here but nothing has materialised yet," said Sujata, director of the NGO, adding that they had regularly paid rent, water and electricity bills for past 20 years.
What does BMC say?
Local ward officer Sharad Ughade said the decision to rid the space below the flyover of sheds was taken long time back and the NGO had ample opportunities to vacate the premises. "We had informed them about vacating the galas in May 2014. There was no claim of an alternate accommodation but I have called them to talk again. Till the time we find a solution, they can shift to their existing centre in Thane."
What was Support doing at the centre?
The NGO used to provide the girls proper nutrition, hygiene facilities, family health and vocation training. It also used to act as a daycare centre. "They are mostly beggars and addicted to various substances. We need to run our centre to get them off the streets. So far, we have rehabilitated over 30 girls and some of them are married today and taken to nursing as a profession," said Sujata.
Why can't the NGO move to Thane?
"If we move to a place like Thane, we will lose the present girls and more than two generations will go back to the streets and enter the world of crime. With PM Modi fighting against the drug nuisance and the girl child, we only seek co-operation from the officials," said Sujata.
Beggar, addict to life in dignity
As a child, Manisha, now 18, used to beg on the streets and was addicted to contrabands. Ever since she was rescued by 'Support', Manisha has stayed with them. "I had run away from my house and used to beg on the streets. Whenever I would get tired and sleep on a pavement, some person would come and sleep next to me. I was an addict too, but Didi made me join the centre. Here we get medicines, education and food. Today I work as a sweeper on railway platforms and nobody harasses me. We will continue our work with Support till we find a place to go."
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