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ShareYou can walk through the narrow gullies of Dharavi for a small price and a good cause. But are you peeking into someone else's misery? Speak Up debates just how ethical slum tours are.
'Slum tours are ridiculous'
When I saw a signboard advertising a tour of Dharavi, behind Hotel Taj Mahal at Colaba, I was ready to dismiss it as a hoax but the location was unnerving --behind Hotel Taj Mahal, where hordes of foreign tourists flock. Plus, the sign carried a web address.
I was embarrassed and angry on reading the board. It is ridiculous to conduct tours of the slums in Mumbai. How can we criticise the foreign media for making documentaries that show India in poor light, when there is an organised tour operator that is offering to exhibit poverty? -- MR Murthi. Mulund
'Don't reduce them to objects of pity'
The concept of helping slum dwellers by conducting slum tours for foreigners not only calls for rejection, but also scepticism.
It is a matter of disgrace for any society that claims to be a civilisation to mint money by exhibiting poverty and exposing slum dwellers to the pity of tourists. These residents are forced to exist in uninhabitable conditions because of mismanagement by the authorities. We should at least spare them the ignominy of being reduced to objects of pity.
Exhibiting poverty and destitution can never be an act of compassion. Such acts are demonstration of one's apathy and indifference. The argument that the tour is conducted with the express consent of residents clearly points towards a skewed power situation. The residents do not even have any option of objecting, once they have been presented with decisions made by an outside agency.
If one really aims to improve the situation, one must go beyond superficial engagement with the issue. Merely sensitising visitors to the situation is not enough.
The thought that residents benefit from such tourism is not only naïve but also deceptive. With no independent audit done, one can't be sure if a percentage of earnings are given to any institution working for the welfare of the residents, as claimed.
What is required is not a share in the earning, but a share in the resource base (human and capital) of the city and a share in the decision-making process. The agency would do a service to the residents by stopping such visits and start visits to officials who show utter disregard for the residents of Dharavi.
I would welcome such a move. -- Simpreet Singh. Activist, National Alliance of People's Movement
Exhibiting poverty
Slum tours certainly exhibit poverty. They are troubling the poor, and in the name of welfare, they are collecting money. The proposed development of Dharavi by the government will chiefly aid builders. Now, even tourist agencies are getting a piece of the pie. Everyone is benefiting from Dharavi except people who live there. The authorities concerned must probe this matter. There is a need for accountability." --Medha Patkar. Social Activist
IN DEFENCE
'We have their consent'
Before starting the slum tours, we sought the consent of Dharavi residents. Only after receiving their nod, we started bringing tourists. We don't take tourists to residential slums. We mainly show them the industrial units. This is not exhibiting poverty.
We also contribute 80 per cent of our profit to MESCO, an NGO working for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. However, it's been only one year and we haven't made profits so far. That's why, we haven't been able to give anything for charity yet. -- Chris Way. Co-owner, Reality Tours and Travels
Through the slum tours, we want to show tourists the reality of Dharavi and change any negative images they might have about this slum. We respect the privacy of theresidents of Dharavi and ensure that the tour does not disturb them in any way. Weensure this by explaining to the locals what we are doing.
Our group size is limited to five people at the most and we have a strict 'no-camera' policy. This may be a disappointment for many tourists, but it avoids any problems with the residents. -- Krishna Pujari. Co-owner, Reality Tours and Travels
TOURIST SPEAK
The tour was fascinating. I've seen slums in Rio andSouth Africa but I have to say, that Dharavi slum is the worst. I saw a child playing in sewage water! Showcasing hard-working labour is not exhibitionism, nor am I being voyeuristic in my wish to see how they live there. -- Charlotte Hamilton. Sussex, UK
LOCAL SPEAK
'No one's given us any money'
We aren't aware that Reality Tours and Travels is trying to make money at our expense. We were under the impression that tourists who came to see our area, came voluntarily. Further, we were not offered help from any NGO. Most collect money under the guise of charity, but they never make an effort to rehabilitate the poor.
I have come across numerous NGOs which start schools, but later discontinue them claiming paucity of funds. Neither the government nor NGOs are interested in the welfare of people of Dharavi. If this agency claims to give their profits to an NGO, why not give it to us directly? At least we would show some accountability. -- Sheikh Abu Khalid. President,Dharavi Businessmen Welfare Association.
Humko bahut accha lagta hai, say locals
Why should we mind foreigners coming to see us? I'm a social worker and want tourists to help us with their expertise. Some share their knowhow with us and it is very
helpful." -- Mohammad Irfan
We don't have any problem with tourists. All of them are very warm and friendly. We won't get a chance to meet these people otherwise. There's no problem. We are happy."-- Surender Mohariya
Tourists sometimes buy wares from me. It's good for my pottery business. I don't mind them coming to see us. Bahut achcha lagtha hai jab woh hamara photo lete hain (It feels great when they take our photos)."-- DV Palkar
