“Jai Ho!” for better homes for children
BBC News reports that Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Ali, two child actors from the Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire,” will be moved from the proverbial outhouse to the penthouse by Indian authorities.
That’s right, little Jamal and Latika are moving up in the world.
Azharuddin and Rubina were discovered by casting agents in Mumbai’s Garib Nagar slum, according to reports. After the film became a runaway hit, folks were beginning to grumble about such famous children having to live in the squalor of Garib Nagar. Of course, no child should have to live in squalor. Hopefully the day will come when you don’t have to be famous to get attention, but I’m happy for the children nevertheless.
Now, how about non-movie star Indian kids?
Local housing association chairman Amarjeet Singh Manhas has gone on record as saying that “Since the children have made the nation proud, they must be given free houses. The chief minister of the state has approved this.” Great. But millions more continue to live in what amount to cardboard boxes and outhouses. According to the BBC, the money for the children’s new homes will come from “a small allocation which local politicians are allowed to distribute as they see fit.”
Little Latika, who is currently nine years old, lives with her family in a one-room dwelling. Ten-year-old Little Jamal’s family lives under a tarp next to a crowded Indian thoroughfare. It was recently taken down.
And what kind of wages did the children earn?
Little Jamal’s dad Mohammed told The Times of India that the family received little money from Danny Boyle and his film crew. What little they received has come and gone. Latika’s father Rafiq Quereshi spoke of a similar fate. “We are happy that we will have a permanent roof over our head,’ he said.’
“Slumdog” director Boyle denies there was any exploitation, and insists that the children were paid “above local wages for 30 days of work.” To their credit, they did offer the families brick and mortar homes before the Indian government stepped in.
Doing what’s right
On a positive note, the kids now have money for formal education. They’re enrolled in school for the first time. Yet voices criticizing the government will not be silenced. Indian media reports many feel the government’s action amounted to a political move to gain favor before the upcoming general election. In order to prove otherwise, I think India should work harder to provide homes for its people and spend less time and money fighting a “war” against Pakistan.
It’s a small step but it’s a beginning.
The gift of housing to both of these families is admirable. However, that doesn’t do much to ameliorate the horrible poverty that is still prevalent in Mumbai, and in so many other slums in the world. I guess I’d rather see a factory go up and have jobs, and therefore income available to those citizens. Giving a few people a fish is just fine, but a fishing pole is better.