14. DHARAVI – THE GLOBAL MODEL

Pihu started to bond with Ruhi and both became good friends.
She was from low economic strata family, yet that was not the boundary.
Thinking of Ruhi and her family, I got reminded of Dharavi, slum city in Mumbai.
(scene shifts to 2020)
“Golu,
Its end of October, 2020.
Pandemic is still alive and yet among us. It has been taking a toll on us, working round the clock for 8 to 10 hours strenuously without any complaints.
Being the first point of contact with the virus, I do know that you will agree of the vulnerability we carry along.
This fallout in numbers for quarantine period counts to more workload on others.

Now as the unlock is in phased manner, I have good news!
You are going to be a Mama!
People around me were cynical about getting back of wards. I could feel Sister Maria totally.
I, and your Jiju, decided that I would get back with appropriate precautions.
I wanted my child to know that her/his mother was a fighter and did not stay back in this battle.
Kudos to women working in these conditions, during that time of the month as well!
Alongside, doctors, nurses in wards, the nation also witnessed citizens associating with NGOs for service. It was absolutely heart-warming gesture to show that we stand together even at testing times. One such organization was Awakening India.
Do you remember Golu?
Back in 2014, during my post-graduation days I was associated with them for health camps.
What a Philanthropists they were!

And, to my surprise, I received call from one of the volunteers, Riya.
The other day when we were discussing about the transition from epidemic to pandemic, we had a brief discussion on how India would be targeted at a global level.
This mockery basically,
Uhmmm…. comes from the fact that India is the second largest populated country and we reside in areas being so densely populated and hence was touted that we would fail miserably in containing the virus.
India is a harbour of 1 billion people residing in the urban slums.
This definitely creating a huge amount of chaos and stir in people in terms of high susceptibility towards the virus.
Dharavi, being Asia’s largest slum was definitely a bigger challenge as it could form as nidus for spread of virus.
It is a complete city within Mumbai city in itself. Its non-spacious endless stretch of roads and lanes with overcrowded huts definitely act as epicentre of major outbreak.
There was news of increasing cases everywhere across the country.
Reports also suggested risk associated with spread of virus in Dharavi – minacity in itself.
I was inquisitive if any particular model would be framed or just a sheer luck would cause a decrease in number of cases.
In conversation with the one of the volunteers, Riya, she briefed me about the doings and how people stood by in fighting the pandemic.

(Scene shifts to the conversation)

RIYA – Hello….
MISHTI – He…llo… Hello. Can you hear me? One second eh….
(Leaving the munchies beside and moving to an area with better network)
MISTHI – Hope you can hear me now? May I know who is this?
RIYA – Hello ma’am. This is Riya speaking on the other end. A volunteer from Awakening Bharat.
Just called up to enquire about your whereabouts since this pandemic has hit has hard.
How have you been?
Hoping that you are safe amidst this rise in cases.
Uhmm….
I know these past few months have definitely been the hard-hitting one!
MISTHI – Oh yes….
Those good old days of perception and looking at new horizon of life called giving is fun.
How are you, Riya?
RIYA – All well ma’am.
Thank you so much.
The workload must have been exorbitant these days.
We have reached almost mid-July with cases reaching almost about close to twenty thousand taking out maximum from the health sector.
Hope I am right?
MISHTI – Certainly!
Adversities lead to opportunities.
Innovative solutions come about to confront challenges. Even you are well aware of how short we are of equipments.
Oh, by the way, are you still put up in Mumbai?
RIYA – Yes ma’am. The team has been spread over across the city serving during this pandemic….
Dha…. raaavi.…
MISTHI – Oh yes, I was equally worried of how the situation is going to contained in Dharavi.
It is the largest of slums in Asia, right?
It was on top of my mind. I hope things are on the better end.
RIYA – Surely ma’am!
Dharavi had certainly become a talk of the town because of its dense population and miniature huts.
It was a matter of concern in terms of as how social distancing norms would be followed in closed areas perhaps of about 8 to 10 people hoard in a space of about 10 by 10 square feet.
Also, using of community toilets by majority of them can turn as a nidus of spread of infection.
Inadequate water supply Improper waste management Illiteracy or lack of awareness Paucity of health care services
MISHTI – I second that Riya. Small and choked areas definitely act as epicentre for increase in number of cases. Isn’t it?
RIYA – Hmm….
That was main crux of problem. Patient Zero in Dharavi was detected on April 1st.
In angst, sanitisation drives and disinfection campaigns were in full swing in co-ordination with our volunteers.
MISHTI – How has the statistics been since April then?
RIYA – Being one of the sprawling slums with dense population, witnessing crumbling systems in New York of USA or Lombardy of Italy, that would be the last mile we would want to touch.
This new normal is uncanny and unusual from masks to face shields.
To social distancing.
To….
MISHTI – Completely.
Even the medical fraternity has witnessed a complete switch in routine and gear.
Wrapping around in layers of plastic and functioning for 8 to 10 hours with sweat (and blood).
A challenge on par it has been.
RIYA – Indeed. Coming back to the challenge, Dharavi was highly vulnerable to COVID – 19.
In terms of short supply of products, unavailability of adequate water, toilets, sanitary drainage, waste management system, housing and other basic necessities plus amenities there was lack of many things.
MISHTI – Controlling and containing the spread must have been a mammoth task.
When this stir started to spread all over, I was thinking if Governance, administration and health sector joined hands together, can be more effective cut down on increasing numbers.
How did Dharavi and ecosystem come about with measures to tackle the pandemic?
RIYA – Governance!
Administration!
Health arena!
These three pillars along with public sectoral harmony being the fourth and imperative. 4T’s play a predominant role –
tracing, tracking, testing and treating.
This had started aggressively to minimize infection.
Model named – strategy of attack not defence, became main motto since inception of this minute enemy.
MISTHI – Hmmm….
Methods taken to prevent the outbreak is amazing.
The implication of 4T’s, coordination within systems is appreciate worthy.
How were such huge populous adhere to social distancing norms and infection was kept under bay?
RIYA – Doctor, this definitely seemed next to impossible in slum areas where health inequalities can be seen to regulate the spread and community transmission in congested areas as slums.
But municipal administration in ally with other departments were in full swing and conducted door to door screening, risk communication, educating general public about symptoms….
and they have to get tested, also supply of groceries and medicines to people in quarantine.
24 check posts with few entries and exit points to monitor and limit movement of transportation.
Remember, one of volunteer group headed by Tejas developed drone to monitor movements and tackle mobility of vehicles.
Same drones were used as surveillance modules to keep areas vigilant when strict lockdown is in place.
MISHTI – Very nice work done!
RIYA – Barricading entry and exit points definitely are significant to lowering of the numbers. Along with which robust surveillance activities controlled the system
MISHTI – Amazing! Keep up the good work done people!
Dharavi has become a Global Model for controlling the spread of virus.
Credits to you guys! We’ll catch up after all this mess gets cleared. Bye!
(conversation between Golu and Mishti)
“Golu, remember once we had visited Dharavi for a community health camp from the Government.
I felt so sorry for people staying there. It feels so happy to hear that it has become a befitting example to the world.
Ok, Lets get going with work. Bye.”
(scene shifts to 2030)
Slums are reducing in number these days. Standard of living of people has increased incredibly.
Everything is getting urbanized. India was progressing rapidly and striding towards developed nation.
But I somehow miss the greenery amidst the ever-increasing concrete jungle.