A Reflection on National Geographic: The Real Slumdogs

Nate Trout 6th grade English January 17 2014

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Dharavi is a large slum with over one million people in one square mile. It is Mumbais largest slum. But according to Rodd Houston, Dharavi is a city if dreamers.1 People in Dharavi can make it big because they dream big and actually try to achieve their dreams. Jigha is a 12 year old boy who wants to be a scientist, Shaliesh, a rickshaw driver who wants to be a Bollywood star. Laxmi is rag picker, one who sorts through trash, one of the Dharavi dwellers who lives with her daughter named sheetal.

Figure 1 google images- Dharavi maps

One of the dreamers is Jigha. He is 12 years old and attends extra English classes, offered by charity, because he wants to be a scientist. His life in Dharavi is sad, but he says that he will study hard and learn English to improve his life. He is one of many willing to work hard to make life better. Another dreamer is Shaeliesh. He is a rickshaw driver that attends acting school because he wants to be a Bollywood star. He lives off $60 a week, but makes ends meet. His family means a lot to him. He says that he will not let his family go to bed hungry. Even though he makes very little money, he still chases his dream.

Rodd Houston. National Geographic: The Real Slumdogs. CD ROM. Directed by Steve Baker. San Francisco, CA: Independent Television Service, 2010.

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Figure 2 google images- Dharavi

The next dreamers name is Laxmi. She barely survives with her daughter Sheetal; and works hard as a rag picker (recycler) to send Sheetal to one of twelve schools in Dharavi. Rag picking is a very dangerous job, exposing the rag picker to chemicals, sharp objects and lots of germs. She also volunteers at the Acorn Foundation, helping women and children. Her mom wants her to stop volunteering though. She is willing to help others even though she herself needs help. But the spirit of dreams is alive and well in the Dharavi community. These people seem to live by Winston Churchill's quote, If you are going through Hell keep going.2 Will Dharavi be bulldozed in the future? This question remains to be answered. But as for now, Dharavi is safe.

Winston Churchill. Excerpted John Petries Collection of Winston Churchill Quotes

http://jpetrie.myweb.uga.edu/bulldog.html

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Kalpana Sharma. National Geographic: The Real Slumdogs. CD ROM. Directed by Steve Baker. San Francisco, CA: Independent Television Service, 2010.
Winston Churchill. Excerpted John Petries Collection of Winston Churchill Quotes

http://jpetrie.myweb.uga.edu/bulldog.html