Deprived of civic amenities, slum dwellers unite with Ganeshotsava

Bhilai, Sep 08: The slum dwellers of ‘Beej Nigam Shramik Basti’ celebrated Ganeshotsava with great enthusiasm and devotion. The celebrations this year proved to be a means of uniting them to struggle further for their rights. In the coming days, they are going to strongly raise their demands for roads, toilets, etc in their slum.

 

Lord Ganesha is considered “the God for everyman” as Lord Ganesha is worshipped by people of all castes. During the independence movement, Ganeshotsava proved to be an effective means of uniting the society. Once again, the deprived people are uniting here at Bhilai with this festival. Eliminating the differences, people of all caste and creeds participated in the Yajna organised at Ganesha Pandal of this slum on Thursday. Corporator Savita Dhawas, social worker Manoj Thakre, philanthropist Dr Laxprad and Dr Ranu attended the programme and made the people aware about health and other issues. Yajna was organised for the first time in this slum. Jitendra Sahu, a Purohit from Gayatri Pariwar conducted the religious rituals. A large number of locals participated in the yajna and offered aahuti to Yajna Devta. It was the birthday of a local child, Priyanka. Her birthday was celebrated with religious rituals during the Yajna and the gathered showered flower petals on her as blessings. Naresh, Umesh, Deepak and others were present.

It needs to be mentioned here that Beej Nigam Shramik Basti is located in Ward 01 of Risali Municipal Corporation. This slum located in the heart of the city is still deprived of toilets and road connectivity. About 300 slum dwellers have no access to toilets and are forced to attend nature’s call in the open. However, with the initiatives of Salute Tiranga organisation and recommendation of MP Vijay Baghel, the administration has initiated to prepare a proposal for construction of toilets and approach road.

It is really surprising that this labour dominated slum located in the middle of Bhilai – Durg is deprived of basic facilities. Most of the residents hail from Orissa and have been working as labourers in the nursery of Seeds Corporation. More than 300 slum dwellers are deprived of toilet facilities, clean drinking water, etc even after the successful conduct of the mega Swachh Bharat Mission. Even today, these people visit the forests between Talpuri Colony A and B blocks to attend nature’s call. This slum has no access to the road. In case of any emergency, any ambulance would not be able to reach here.

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