Poverty eradication in slums through social enterprise and innovation in Mumbai

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Poverty eradication in slums through social enterprise and innovation in Mumbai

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Poverty eradication, Mumbai, Slums

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Abstract
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Abstract

The mention of slums elicits euphoria of deteriorating living conditions. The depiction of slum life is poverty, domestic abuse of women, neglect of education, deplorable living conditions and other social vices. This portrays the slums in low light. Despite these conditions, the residents have a tight attachment with the place for ancestral and economic reasons, bonded with invisible hope. Katherine Boo with her awarding winning book Behind the Beautiful Forevers highlights the other side of the slums which many people opt to ignore. In this case, the reader gains insight into the intricate realities of people living in slums struggling immensely to survive, often against all odds (Boo, 2012).

Boo brings to light the resilience of the slum dwellers whose motivation comes from the fact that they dare to dream big. In this factual work, Boo makes truth surpass fiction. Her narration is shocking, inspiring and unforgettable portrait of a part of Mumbai slums foreigners rarely see (Boo, 2012). Boo spent over three years in Annawadi while undertaking her research thus, her credibility is unquestionable. She paints an acute picture of the struggling poor in a globalizing India where corruption is the norm and truths are exceptional. Social capital is low, and cooperation is rare. Katherine Boo emphasizes the precariousness of an era in which capital moves rapidly around the globe, government support declines, and temporary work proliferates (Boo, 2012). This necessitates the need for social enterprises and innovations in the slums.

Introduction
Poverty eradication
Social enterprise and innovation
Slums in Mumbai
Conclusion

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[...] However, this is not the case in Annawadi and many other Mumbai slums. Education opportunities are alien to the children who waste most of their time in the rubbish heaps. This is disheartening as it kills the potential for economic growth. It also reinforces the notion that most people have that many are born in a slum and yet only few get out of it (Collins, 2013). Asha depicts individuals who know the importance of education in poverty alleviation. She educates her daughter a decision that many Annawadians frown upon since they believe that girls should not get educated (Boo, 2012). [...]

[...] The mention of slums elicits euphoria of deteriorating living conditions. The depiction of slum life is poverty, domestic abuse of women, neglect of education, deplorable living conditions and other social vices. This portrays the slums in low light. Despite these conditions, the residents have a tight attachment with the place for ancestral and economic reasons, bonded with invisible hope. Katherine Boo with her awarding winning book Behind the Beautiful Forevers highlights the other side of the slums which many people opt to ignore. [...]

[...] This necessitates the need for social enterprises and innovations in the slums. Boo describes the Annawadi slum as “sump plug of a slum (Boo, it is one of the many that have earned Mumbai the nickname Mumbai. This slum is a contradiction of Mumbai airport and the luxurious hotels within its environs. This contradiction could probably have been the inspiration for the residents of Annawadi towards enhancing their innovation and entrepreneurial abilities. From the onset, it is clear that skills are crucial for survival in the slums. [...]

[...] Empowering the slum residents with education is the first step towards nurturing their creativity and the consequent innovation. Manju, Asha's daughter, shows the desire and potential to be enterprising. The desire to acquire her BA in literature propels her to attend a “mediocre” college (Boo, 2012). Manju desires to escape the confinement of an arranged marriage, which would be a barrier to her success. She utilizes her knowledge and starts a private school. Luckily, for her she is the most educated in the slums. [...]

[...] Boo raises the critical issue of harmony in harnessing opportunities. She also raises concern for goodwill among the slum dwellers (Boo, 2012). Failure to look out for each other acts as the first step towards killing creativity and innovation. Boo discloses that many people have lost their lives in unclear circumstances yet there are no explanations from the local authorities. She recounts some people who lost their lives under unclear circumstances yet the existing records show that they died of “illness (Boo, 2012).” Kalun is one such example. [...]

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