Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Jimmy Meister — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:40:42 GMT

Every big city in Latin America, Asia and Africa has slums. They are crowded, violent, squalid places. But slum dwellers have a certain honest character of soul, which eludes those of more material means.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Frederick Christensen Uppsala Sweden. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:10:39 GMT

India is a hopeless,hapless conundrum that wallows in an illogical state that ebbs and flows incessantly and drifts precipitously to the very edge of total oblivion at times.Too many people,in fact too much of everything that is wrong clouds and erodes the destiny of this immense country.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Karl — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:16:21 GMT

The sad reality is that the dream reflected by "I am my brother's keeper" is just that, a dream. Most of us reading this, on the Web, float miles above this impossible reality, consider it for a brief instant, sigh and move on.

Shame on us all.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Deborah Solomon Independence, MO — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:19:10 GMT

A person like myself realizes the importance of freedom of religion, within reason, for people throughout the world, however, as a christian I tend to look at circumstances through a Judeo-Christian world view. Jesus Christ himself said "The poor you have with you always." What I believe He meant by that is no matter how much you help some people they will make the decision not to better themselves and to stay in poverty, however, I believe many people would be raised out of poverty with help, such as public education or a voucher system for education being available to people. Also having public libraries where people have access to information and the ability to educate themselves. I will always consider myself an economic moderate or centrist. People certainly have the right to work hard and provide a good life for themselves and their families, however, there is also fairness in wages and benefits so that the working families and middle class can also have a fair and decent standard of living. I certainly do not want to live in a communistic nation, neither do I desire to live in a nation where a very few wealthy elite control the majority of the nation's wealth and the working families and middle class can barely make ends meet or get ahead in life. Many sports stars, actors, musicians et cetera make multiplied millions of dollars. I'm sure with most of them it is because they worked very hard to get where they presently are, however, I don't mind saying "If you want to make multiplied millions of dollars a year for playing sports,acting, et cetera then pay your fair share of the taxes so that people like teachers, fire fighters, police officers, the military et cetera can also have a fair and decent standard of living.
Deborah Solomon
Independence, MO

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Mike Miller, Norfolk, VA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:04:13 GMT

People never seem to address the root of the problem...overpopulation.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Clive Jones, Boulder, CO — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:13:04 GMT

Thanks for this informative inside look. I was very taken by the movie, and this gives me some real background.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

T. Pink, Toledo, Ohio — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:15:46 GMT

Yeah, capitalism really is the bestest economic system for everybody.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sandy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:24:32 GMT

Those who have seen the movie know that in contrast to the word "slumdog," the main character is truly honorable and heroic. That's the point.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Jesse Lake, Tucson, AZ — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:37:31 GMT

You know, I find it hard to empathize with the plight of those people when others in India won't even help them. America is going into a slump and we are still pouring jobs to india. nobody stops to care about the plight of the people who lose their jobs here so we can send it to india. Why don't we let india worry about their own people and we concentrate on what's happening in out own country. they sure don't care about us.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

NoProsperWithInjustice — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:41:08 GMT

It is a reality. With a growing GDP of 9% every year and prosperous economy, India has somehow managed to ignore these poor souls. Most of them do not participate in the political process another reason for the politicians to ignore them.
I hope the Indian Government and the rest of India will wake up, see the reality and do something about it rather than being critical.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Rick Dirsch — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:44:57 GMT

Call me a bad person but I don't care about this at all. If you live in a slum and can barely feed and cloth yourself why would you proceed to have 8 children? I'm tired of these touching stories of pain and suffering going on thousands of miles away from me...I DONT CARE!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Clark Phillips, Woodbridge, Virginia — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:49:01 GMT

It is particularly heart-breaking to observe the depth and breadth of Human suffering around our planet. I am thankful for the courageous reporting by
men and women like Ian Williams who draw this to our attention. America is not immune to this kind of suffering either. It is just that the magnitude is lessened by our blessing as a nation to care for these. An Article posted by Kari Huus brought to light. In these times, places such as these are often breeding grounds and recruiting of terrorists - those disaffected by the world at large. Thus we should be concerned if but for that reason. Thanks and keep reporting.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

mike — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:52:47 GMT

Its so unfortunate that western media starts portraying the poorer side of developing countries and not the changing face. Slumdog millionaire is just a movie that needs to be watched for the "feel-good" factor and not for the journalists to start digging up dirt (how bout south side chicago, bronx and inner city neighborhoods in the US of A??????).

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Mike, Virginia — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:54:18 GMT

There have been and always will be "have and have nots"....It is not our responsiblity to correct every wrong on this planet......toughen up Americans, you're getting too soft.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Rob, Dallas, Tx — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:02 GMT

There is one word that explains the reason for this huge problem, greed. It's that simple. People who are in power, want to stay there no matter what. They are usually corrupt and have no moral compass. Individual's who have a strong belief system in God are better able to attain morals. Few people have morals and are selfish.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

T. West, Gahanna, OH — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:58:09 GMT

How convenient for the "well-to-do" to use words like "lazy", "over-population", etc. To escape responsibility for all the people on the Planet. The truth is that there are enough resources to go around. But what is almost impossible is to clutch it out of the hands of the rich and greedy. No one needs 3 yahts, 5 mansions, lear jets, etc. All we really need is food, education, shelter, medical care, and love.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Thomas Lofgren, Minerva, Ohio — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:01:14 GMT

All the religions of the world note that we each carry the spark of God within (some call it the soul. Yet we refuse to allow our spark touch that of others in spite of our religious teachers/prophets/saviors pleading to reach out and serve our fellow man. That is how we will be judged in the end, no matter your personal religious belief

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Patricia M New York, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:01:18 GMT

To Deborah Solomon: "HuH?"
And to Jesse Lake's point: How disgusting it is to see the elite Indians with several servants whose families live like this in slums. Shame on the Indian people with their social system of exclusion and elitism.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Charlie, Falmouth, Maine — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:01:40 GMT

If this topic interests you, read Shantaram.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

M Smith, Washington DC — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:01:44 GMT

My daughter just accidentally went to this slum in a taxi from the airport. Taxi driver left her in his cab while he made a phone call. Little beggar child came up to the cab to ask my daughter for money. Driver returned and started beating the little beggar child.

Needless to say my daughter [from the Midwest USA] was totally traumatized and distraught. What an eye opener for her.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Matt, Atlanta, GA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:03:06 GMT

As an Indian American who has lived in India and seen the slums of Mumbai, I find the responses to this article quite ignorant. Opinions like other Indians won't help slum dwellers, poverty can be eradicated through education and voucher system and the hopeless, hapless conundrum speak volumes of world perspectives through American lenses. America's views on the world is based on media. I suggest you take a trip to Dharavi and get a first hand education of the slums and its workings before expressing such obtuse opinions.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

david c. portland, maine — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:03:29 GMT

the world needs to come face-to-face with the poverty which exists in it...people love to be sheltered from what is real and what is true...i think working to end world hunger and poverty is the essential task of all humanity...

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Agm, charlotte NC — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:03:41 GMT

It's too much of baggage from history, looking too much inside and not outside. God is inside but his beatiful creation is outside, if societies cannot balance inside and outside views of their life they will live in extreme environments like this one.

India is getting better but it's two step forward, one step backword kind of.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sunder, fremont , ca — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:05:28 GMT

Jesse, the problem now is a global economic meltdown. Let the rest of world fall off and we in US will somehow prosper is gone a century ago.
The world is the consumer of what we make and the sooner people realize it sooner we will be out of this mess.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Geo, Richmond, VA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:06:49 GMT

Im sure Indians will feel offended and repulsed...nobody, not even a country, wants to be viewed in a negative light...yet, though the movie is fiction it depicts a reality that Bollywood is too terrified to portray.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Len, Auburn, WA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:07:00 GMT

Yes..overpopulation.
Easy to throw random words out there problems like the slums. Maybe they need adequate health care to help. Oh, they don't have clinics. Well, they need better education..oh, but not enough schools. Oh, well they should used contraception. Well sure..if they can get enough to eat for the day and make it through tomorrow, that may come magically in the slums sure. That may happen after all the rats leave as well.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sam — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:07:04 GMT

I hope people understand that poverty and misery exists in almost every corner of the world. Even out here, Katrina exposed the underbelly of the US to the outside world which our own govt. out here tried to quickly shove under the carpet. It is the opportunities available to people like Dr. Ahire and Johnny Lever, available only in free societies like US and India and other democratic countries that should be highlighted. The opportunities are there, we as more privileged people should help raise awareness about them. Population after all is the root of India's problems, but population only increases in a country which is safe for its peoples and not in the war zones of Africa or elsewhere. Population can only be controlled by education and not force like in an un-democratic society like China, though their communist system has definitely done a good job of hiding the poverty in China.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Anand, delhi, India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:11:21 GMT

slumdog is a piece of crap....its dull and not up to hollywood standards....im an indian and the moviewas just weird....it didnt have the pace of a bollywood movie, nor the suspense/drama/action of a western flick...
and ps- there are plenty of indian movies about indian poverty...."escapist" fare refers only to the box office successes....which makes sense because only a complete idiot would spend good money to see sad realities of below-poverty-line life on the big screen..

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Tan Mayhall, Santa Claus, IN — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:11:22 GMT

It's obvious from the comments that we in America find this so threatening that we have to find a way to turn our heads, to blame the victim, to avoid any share in the plight. I've walked in the slums of Mumbai, and I admire the people who live there, who cope with unbelieveable and overwhelming issues and still maintain a dignity and communality and even generosity that embodies what I would like to think is the original American spirit. India didn't steal any of our jobs - we sent the jobs there because we wanted to increase our profits. They don't need our pity or our lectures. They need us to stand beside them as world citizens and assist them with their efforts to better their own conditions, which effort I believe will untimately succeed. In a crass, self-centered way, we can even look at them as the consumers of the future, and our own best hope for continued prosperity.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Catherine V., Chicago, Illinois — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:11:39 GMT

Comment to Jesse Lake from Tucson, AZ: the United States should very well worry about the foreign countries they choose to do business with because US is always getting into other countries businesses...if we have slumps here is because people choose to be lazy and not educate themselves to get good jobs.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Lokesh — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:12:02 GMT

Jesse Lake,

You are right on that. India as a country has too much crap of its own to clear up let alone even worrying about others..

Deborah Solomon
You are right, no matter what you do some people never want to improve themselves and the same with India. My family runs a huge farm which employs many workers and we pay them well. We also advise them to save the money by keeping them in savings account which pays dividends on a long run and also send their kinds to higher education. We organize institutions which educates them on cleanliness, public loitering and other means for a decent standard of living. Even after 20 years I havent seen a single family that has bettered itself and their over populated childrens society keeps doing what thier fathers did. I feel some kind of class cleansing is required to eradicate these people because these fools have to die. I dont sympathize them one bit and I will wipe them of this planet if i had the power. The entire system is corrupted beyond repair and they will never change as they are all used to the system now.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Max Kapadia, Houston, TX — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:12:23 GMT

The root of such problems is simply overpopulation. The world has a finite number of resources and each society must work within the confines of such resources. India is a land of greatness with regards to history, religious freedom, and democracy. However, these positive attributes are being smothered by a population which can not be sustained by its natural and self-created wealth. Corruption runs rampant as each member of society tries to better their individual chances because they can not concentrate on the greater good.

In India's free-market economy, the rich will become richer and the poor, more destitute. For a population like India, there must be a balance between some infusion of communistic principals to create an egalitarian society. This hope has been destroyed by the caste system whose original purpose was not to create such divisions. These divisions were created out of a mis-applied, misunderstanding of the Moguls and British empires and regrettfully perpetuated by Indians themselves.

When they can control the population, restore infrastructure, and create a more egalitarian society, they will return to the superpower status they held long ago.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Janet — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:12:41 GMT

Overpopulation is the root of the world's problems. Well, that and religious fanatics. People will be fighting more and more over land. The more people, the more pollution. It will take every person in every nation on the planet to solve the problem. It will never happen. The planet is doomed.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

HandInHand, Kuwait — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:12:48 GMT

Indian in not hopeless or hapless. There was a time when India was known as the Golden Bird. And even today I believe Indian is a GOLDEN BIRD. What is Sweden ???
A vacation spoet ?? Thats all it is. But India is India and I'm proud of India because I'm an Indian.
My friend, dont ever underestimate India. All over the world, there are Indians. I live and work in an oil rich country, but I'm an Indian. We Indians do really have a heart which is full of love and emotions.
Try knowing an Indian better and believe me you will have earned a friend who would help you whenever you needed him or her.

Peace...

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Manish Gupte, West Lafayette, IN — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:14:46 GMT

If one shows that by honest hard work any one can achieve his or her dreams, others will emulate it. I think that's what the movie is all about.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Satya, Bangalore, India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:16:04 GMT

The problem with India is, it is overpopulated. Added to this, the corruption is rampant, large number of people are illiterate (over 35%), there are cast/religious divisions. In an ancient (we have over 5000 years of history), huge (1.1 billion people), multi-lingual (16 official languages and over 1000 dialects), multi-cultural (all the major religions and hundreds of casts/sub-casts in Hindus) society it is difficult to bring everyone on the same page. It is difficult to align the resources for one cause. In such a situation, It will take time and resources to get everyone out of poverty, illiteracy and provide equal opportunity to every one to rise and shine. However, I am glad that India is making huge progress. The progress I have seen in past 10 years is astounding. Entrepreneurship has been seeded in India and I am sure in next 50 years we will be world's second largest economy.

I am born and living in India. Even to me, the scenes from SlumDog were shocking as I live in Bangalore, which doesn't have any slums.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Andy,San juan ,PR — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:19:34 GMT

i Ithink that the goverment has to get involved in these poverty problems,they have to relocate the people of those slumps to housing projects were they can live decently.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Lucy, Phila, PA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:21:16 GMT

Rent Born Into Brothels for a documentary view of this issue. Wonderful, moving film

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Prateek Gulati, New Delhi, India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:22:10 GMT

I am suprized that the site has not posted any Indian's views. I am sure there must have been a few!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Bethany lynn — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:22:19 GMT

I tend to agree with Jesse Lake. I have lost two jobs because they were "off shored" to India. I currantly work (at about 1/3 what I had been making), for a company that has just sold to an Indian owned co. Their people are coming to the co to learn the jobs, and I am sure they will be taking them with them once they return to India. They also treat us like we owe them for the job we do have. I am scared for everything I have worked for and what will become of not only my family but this country.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Tina Soucy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:23:20 GMT

I find it truly sad that Jesse from Tucson sees the separation of countries on this earth as the determining factor in his callous attitude towards people who live in poverty. The poverty stricken, as well as the rich, and middle class, are our brothers and sisters, and if we, as individuals, spent more time reflecting on how we can help, through love, positive action with sincere determination given any of our available resources, this world might unify, under God. I have never been a religious zealot, but our souls are all of the same source, it is our attitudes and beliefs that separate us. It is my belief that we need to all take a bit of responsibility for the current state of affairs on earth and work together towards a solution from which we will all benefit. Take a minute and put yourself in a Mumbai child's shoes (or mind) and look around you; how would you feel? This story has certainly made me realize my responsibility as a human being and a soul of God about being my brother's keeper. Good Luck.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Srini, New York — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:23:46 GMT

Jesse is wrong. They do care about other people. The problem there in India is dirty politicians and greedy businessmen. In some places they act like Mafia
and the legal system is not strict like in the US to punish the culprits. Yeah! its too many people and too much of democracy.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Dennis, New York, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:27:18 GMT

Overpopulation and a lack of education are absolutely the root problems in India. Watch out America... this is a warning for Americans - overpopulation is going to attack you too and destroy you from the inside soon enough if the babies don't stop.

If you think this is bad enough, just wait till global warming drastically reduces the fresh water supply in India and elsewhere. Civil violence is bound to happen in such places.

Why does the world need so many people anyway? Only a tiny fraction contribute to the well-being of the planet and to increasing scientific knowledge. The rest are here to just use up finite resources.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Bryan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:28:41 GMT

Jesus also said: Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me. Scripture is full of stories of Jesus caring for the least of these. Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord" I believe the question to ask yourself when you become aware of the poverty and situations like they have in Mumbai is...What would Jesus have me do?
Fortunately, thousands of Americans have responded by linking up with ministries such as Compassion International to support children and share the message of Jesus, that these precious ones living in poverty do matter and God loves them. If you make an average salary in the USA, you are in the top two percent on a scale of the Worlds wealthy. Thirty thousand children under five will die today from malnutrition and preventable illness'es. We should all ask, What can I do to make a difference?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Christella, Texas — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:29:43 GMT

Excuses and answer for everything. We should just LOVE and not judge. Help one another and not ignore them. Some are pointing fingers and that finger should be pointed back at you. What have YOU done to help the poor?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Swati, Rochester, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:30:16 GMT

As an Indian working for sometime in US, I would say that Jesse, America is not helping a poor country like India by sending them jobs. America itself is poor, it has lots of debt. But, it maintains a bubble around itself by trying to run its business houses by finding cheaper means of labor. And that is what India is to American business houses. It is sending jobs to India only because people in India work more for 1/4 the salary they have to pay to people in America. This helps them keep running their business. America can not afford not sending business to India.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Desi_in_Indy, Indianapolis, IN — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:30:18 GMT

Patricia M: you have no idea whatsoever about Indian caste system et-al. So, shut up! Don't tell me there aren't elitists in US society! The current world economic collapse is a creation of western (read US) capitalist system, which believes in letting the rich get richer, by hook-or-crook (Bernard Madoff?) and the poor get poorer!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Honestie, Seattle, Wa — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:30:48 GMT

Most of the comments on this story are written by people who have no idea what they are talking about. Jesse Lake - get out from the dark hole you are in - "pouring jobs in India" is not a charity. Its people like these that bring a bad name to America. This story should serve as an example that if people in overcrowded developing countries can rise and inflict no self-pity on themselves - then the current situation a lot of us Americans find ourselves in can be overcome with hardwork and better attitude.- ... and that it not escapism!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Dennis — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:32:38 GMT

This is all very touching, but how many of you have ever visited an American Indian reservation. Talk about exclusion and transparency to society. Conditions, while not as bad perhaps as the Mumbai slums, are still bad and Americans should be ashamed for allowing other native Americans (hey, they were here first) live in the poverty they do. While I don't subscribe totally to 'take care of america first' this group certainly deserves help in priority over most foreign aid this country provides. Perhaps if some american writer took up their story more often, and the elite hollywood critics and others who vote for movie awards, took up and noticed, perhaps the plight of americans on our own soil would receive a little more empathy and attention.

I did enjoy Slumdog and think it'll probably win best picture, by the way. I'm looking forward to a native american production that garners the same.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

nosefingertipcurry, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:36:09 GMT

Why all the focus on India nowadays? They're not the only "poor" country on the planet. In fact, they have a booming outsourcing economy, their jobs are growing as the western world's shrinks, and those that cannot be outsourced are being filled up with indian imports. What's with the fascination with India?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Brian Glanz, Seattle — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:39:22 GMT

Don't only read this article, do something about it: the most honest and productive organization I can personally recommend is "Asha for Education." They are serving the basic education needs of children in India. You can either volunteer or make a donation.

Asha for Education has been rated the number one U.S. charity by Charity Navigator. I have personally visited some of their projects in India and their integrity and work are unrivaled. Asha are totally nonreligious, volunteer staffed, and you can read full reports online.

You can do something by supporting Asha:

http://www.ashanet.org/

It is fashionable to say that Indians are leaving these children behind, but not all Indians are, some like Asha for Education are organized and having success against poverty.

It is poetic to lament that we all read this article and move on, but don't only be a poet, take some action. Visit Asha's site and either get involved or make a donation.

This article, and any media which profit by selling this story, should to be legally required to mention some way the reader can help. General Electric and Microsoft, the parents of MSNBC, are profiting by selling this story. Ian Williams, I am calling on you to provide your readers with links to organizations through which they can end the story on which you profit. You are doing part of the job by telling the story; do all of it by helping us end it.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Syd — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:45:48 GMT

Yes, we Indians are quite miserable when it comes to providing for our own people. Maybe we should take our ships and go pillage some of the weaker nations. Or let's just eliminate an entire race of people and force them into settlements. No wait, I have a better idea - let's take the poor people, enslave them, and work them till they drop dead. For their own good, of course.
Get off your soap boxes and go read some books.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Mario, CLeveland, OHIO — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:52:07 GMT

Capitalism creates wealth for a few and poverty for most.........SIckening.............

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

RIAZ MOHAME, ILFORD, UK — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:52:18 GMT

IN ISLAM,
PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR(WHICH THE SLUM DWELLERS ARE) WILL GO TO HEAVEN 500 YEARS EARLIER THAN THE RICH. WHY? SIMPLE... THESE POOR WILL HAVE LESS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR....

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Raj, Los Angeles — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:52:30 GMT

Dear Friends,

The politician are big culprit who made countries were fall down. every day some corner it happen that's why slums developed.Everybody will get the taste of this naste life any farm. If you look around, we always same place because of our culprit politician they are too greed and they don't provide our needs i,e job,food and shelter. Who will change this? Are you ?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Appalled, Osceola, IN — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:52:50 GMT

Lokesh... please forgive me if I misunderstood, but it seems as though you would like to create a genocide much like the Holocaust, based solely on class. You do remember reading about the Holocaust in school, yes? Never mind the numerous accounts of genocide elsewhere in the world... you are very small-minded to think that what Adolf Hitler proposed is what will solve any problem in this world.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sam, Chicago, IL — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:57:20 GMT

Before I write, I should mention that I am an Indian(grew up in the slum Dharavi) living in USA. Reading comments from some Indians in a defensive way is apalling. The problem is the corrupt Indian System. India has not made any porgress, When I visited Mumbai Last year that place looks like dump since I left in 1990's. As one Indian said it accurately, We never got freedom from the British, the oppressors color changed from White to Brown. What a shame.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Nick in Philly - Home of the World Champion Phillies — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:59:17 GMT

It boggles my mind how people can be so ignorant, incencitive, hypocrytical, and just plain dead WRONG. Just keep your mouths shut if you don't have anything nice to say, or if you think you know something when you really don't have a clue. And by the way, it's AMERICAN companies shipping jobs to India and the West, those nations are not asking for them, and never did....

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Barbara Butcher, Whitetop, Virginia — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:01:11 GMT

When our large businesses send jobs to poor countries for pennies, they think they are helping that country's poor, but it is no easier to starve to death on two beans a day than it is on one bean a day.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Bharat Sheth — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:02:09 GMT

Some of you Americans have no idea about rest of the world because you have been spoiled.You guys have no idea that slum dwellers are nor beggers.America has no hard working people willing to work for the money as other nationals are. Chinese or Indians are not in debt!! Look at wall street!!And if you want to see corruption, just travel to Illinois !!!!its not too far !!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Garima Garg,New Delhi,India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:02:51 GMT

The author of this article hasn't probably watched bollywood movies, there have been so many movies which were based on poverty, slums and rags to riches kind of story. Or maybe he just chose label them as "escapist" because it was made by Indians, Slumdog millionaire is "reality" because it's made by Danny Boyle, a British!!!!!
And yeah some people out here are looking down upon us India because there is poverty, corruption, elite etc, as if nothing of that kind exists in USA( Hurricane Katrina exposed that,no?) Well i'm Indian and I'm proud to be one!!!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Zac, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:03:46 GMT

I find it amazing how many people blame capitalism for everything. People in capitalist countries have a much higher standard of living, better education, and far more freedom than anywhere else. Would you rather live in Cuba? China? If you rely on the government to take care of you, you are putting your trust in a bloated, impersonal, massively inefficient organization who doesn't know or care about you. Rich people "spread the wealth" by buying things, by creating companies and jobs, by selling the products we all use, by investing in the market, and by putting money in the bank so we all can get loans. They also pay most of the taxes and give the most to charity. Envy, resentment, and anger are the evil in the world. Let's give everybody the freedom to rise as high as they can in life.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Bruce, Jay maine — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:07:56 GMT

Lokesh is Hitler in which language?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

nosefingertipcurry, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:08:05 GMT

" America can not afford not sending business to India. "

Outsourcing of American jobs to India grew by leaps and bounds in the last 8 years. America lost the most jobs, and now the American economy is in the toilet. To be fair, it is not outsourcing alone that delivered us to this predicament. But if your theory is correct, we should all be very rich by now, and not in the brink of disaster.

Tell us again how outsourcing is beneficial to the American people.

There are other poor countries in the world that could benefit from our help and compassion. America might become one of them if we don't stop this foolish fascination with India.

We have done enough for India. They have done enough damage to American workers. Let us focus on other economies to partner with.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

JAB — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:11:55 GMT

Ask yourself, How far are we away from this being a story about an American city or town?
If this story was actually about the US how would you feel as an American?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

William Davis — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:12:50 GMT

In my vist to New Delhi and the surrounding region, I saw first hand much of what this video portrays. The caste system and the religions existing there that condone this are the same that elevate animals over human beings. Can there be a solution for this injustice as long as it is acceptable in the minds of the religious? Poverty is found in every country, including the highly vaunted USA.

I find it hard to accept systems that segregate the wealthy from the poor. It is no less than another version of racism, which has been widely condemned.

The economic system originated in Babylon where the upper elite employ the poor because they can be hired for much less demeans the people. Communism is not the answer for this. The love that God showed to all of humanity in sending His Son, Jesus Christ to us is the answer. Being compassionate and caring for our people, those around us, those who find themselves in the kind of poverty displayed is not easy, but if we are ever to progress as some have said, we must be our "brother's keeper" in some manner.

I am submitting the following poem and hope some will take it to heart:

"RIVERS OF HIDDEN WORDS"

The voices of millions and murmuring low.
They cry in the night in an unending flow,
And just like the rivers, they pass us by,
So forceful, so quiet: They live... and they die.

Like rivers, their words find an unending sea...
of people who can, but don't hear their plea.
Sometimes the speakers are found on a street...
lost, lonely voices, with cups at their feet.

It matters not country, nor voice of the sender:
Words of distress know not hue, age or gender.
These hidden words, born from pain and strife...
whisper the speech of a hopeless life.

And our hidden words are inside as we stare...
with thought to withdraw, from failing to care.
Then knowing, they murmur to God, if they pray...
expecting rejection, as we turn away.

But our Rivers of Hidden Words can be shown!
With love and compassion, their voice can be known!
Christ knew the answer and gave us the clue:
"Love one-another, the way I love you!"

William Davis 2007

If we can walk away, it is because of the enormity of the task facing one person, but if enough people band together, such as is being done in the mini-loan program, so successful in parts of India and Asia, a difference can be accomplished. We may never wipe poverty from the face of the earth, but if we put our efforts together, we can bring hope to those who now have none.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Naureen, UT — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:13:40 GMT

Slumdog millionaire is the real India! Not only Mumbai, but also Calcutta is worse. India’s govt. is so obsessed with Pakistan that they are unable to work on their glaring issues.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

jonymc — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:15:38 GMT

You know what, Matt from Atlanta? The caste system that exists in India is 90% to blame for what is happening to these poor people. I don't care how proud you are of India, to go on with this completely archaic view of humanity will completely ensure that slums will ALWAYS exist in India. I don't care how "obtuse" it sounds, that reality is of India's own making.

I also recommend "Born into Brothels" as a perfect example of why India needs to let go of this ridiculous ideology. Watch it and then give me a different opinion. The overpopulation in this instance is not the only problem, it is endemic to the belief system.

Additionally, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the people themselves. Given the chance, most of them would work as hard as they could to change their circumstances if they were just given the respect that each person deserves and the chance to escape their "caste".

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

HMM, Boston — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:16:51 GMT

My sister lived in India for a year as an exchange student and I saw the movie with her. I asked her if that was really the way it was and she said absolutely and told me stories about her experiences there. She lived with a wealthy family but whenever they drove through the streets their car was surrounded by children begging. She explained that it has a lot to do with their religion and believing that people are born into poverty or wealth for a reason and they accept it. There are wealthy people that try to help like the family she lived with who would roll down the car windows a crack and throw out money to the beggars. What she saw there was traumatizing and made her realize how lucky we are here in the U.S. where people actually have the belief system that you can better yourself no matter what circumstances you are born in. In India, they believe that the circumstances a person is born into is their destiny, so little is done to change it. It's an age old caste system that has always been there.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

JAB (Boston, MA) — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:18:02 GMT

It is an economic truth no matter what school of thought you subscribe to (supply or demand), there will absolutely always be poor people. The question is how do we prevent that type poverty from becomming the norm rather than the exception. There were so many ignorant comments on this subject so far that I could not possibly comment on them all. I wish I had a nightly show. I will say that ignorance is not about how much you know or don't know. It's about the scope and vastness of your knowledge.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Vanessa Miramar, FL — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:18:37 GMT

This goes out to the person(Mr. Dirsch) who said that if you are poor, why proceed to have 9 children??

Your right! & I would wholeheartedly agree with you if we were talking about Americans, who, for the most part, are filthy stinking rich compared to poor people in 3rd world countries. AND even though India is gaining ground economically, they still have that 3rd world mentality.

BUT think about this, if they can barely feed themselves, then what would make you think that they would have enough to afford contraception or even be educated about contraception? THIS is an issue that the Indian government needs to tackle to prevent the problem before it starts AND well-to-do Indians need to demand for these people what they cannot demand for themselves.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Herman, San Francisco, CA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:19:09 GMT

Hey Rick Dirsch, if you really don't care about these "touching stories" then why the hell are you even reading and commenting on this article? And you don't care because it is India is thousands of miles away from you? We live in the same world buddy. Get out of your little bubble that you live in. You're nothing but a low life, heartless, d*&#%^ bag.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

HMM, Boston — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:20:01 GMT

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Dean, pawtucket, Rhode Island — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:23:03 GMT

Birth Control?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Lee Utah — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:23:22 GMT

I have read many responces that say that "I don't care"
You will care when America gets to this point. When there are a very few elite rich people a very small middle class and a very large poor or extreamly poor class. You don't think it can happen, just wait and see. Look at the Madoff's of our society, and what they are doing to us. Look at the extream salaries of our CEO's and upper managment. We are on the brink of things like this happening here, it wont take much to go over the edge.
I cant believe that some of you said that this is what they deserve for haveing children. relize that most of the children that are born dont live very long due to sickness or malnutrition. how callous and sick are you to deny the right to have a child to pass on you line. tell that to the right to life people.
I am saddened about this but unfortunatly will see more of it

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Shaina Huntington, Reading PA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:24:00 GMT

If the plight were to be eradicated, those left will ultimately fall into a category that others deem as unacceptable as well. This view of a class-system is what pushes those into despair and keeps them there. Viewing this world, as a union of people is what God had created us all for. Those pointing out the speck in others eyes have long forgotten what falters themselves. Greed and corruption has taken the highest place in society wherein we are forced to use this image as one to live by. God bless those around the world who live in despair. Although their hearts are much bigger than ours who squabble over opinion. Who are we to judge!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sai — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:24:39 GMT

First on poverty & if India should be helped - There is too much of poverty in India. If you go to a poorer country than India, you will find even more poverty. Something is being done every minute and lots more needs to be done to eradicate poverty (whereever it exists). Those who wish to do, are welcome. Those who do not wish to do are also welcome to have that stand. Its the nature of life. Helping others is not something that can be demanded. It comes from within. All the great people who tried to help others got crucified. So its not an easy thing. And for most humans the greed is too strong to give up. Nothing right or wrong here, except your conscience. If you really DONT CARE, then thats a right way to think as well. love, help, emotions can not be forced. This is the true Indian spirit. We Indians care as much as anyone else in the world and dont care just as much as the rest. Jesus did not lead just his family or countrymen, buddha did not preach just to those from his caste. So you can not discuss on why there is poverty and if one should do something about it. Those who have a calling to help are already helping. Others like me are spending time writing this message.
About jobs to India - US of A is not that old. People came and took someone elses land. A nation was formed and now it rules the world. Once India was also rich and great. We did not cry when we lost that status. One day even you might. Its not something unheard of in history. People do things for reasons of greed. They win for greed and they lose because of greed. Businesses send jobs to India for greed, so they can save more and get more work done in less money, so the stockholders are made rich. The stockholders are not Indians. So if you are losing jobs think twice before buying stocks. And also you know whom you need to blame. What is a poor India doing? He is just trying to feed himself and his family. If you give him a job he will take it. So please ask the business community to not to give the jobs to Indians or other people from poor countries and see if they listen. Dont kill the messenger. By blaming Indians, you will not get your jobs back. The greed has taken a very strong root now. You have to evolve with the times. History is the biggest teacher. Greedy and rich men will find new ways to make money and that may just be by walking all over you. So lookout for them. Not Indians. The Indians are not in a position to give you your jobs back. If you can be a project manager for a wage of $6 per hour I am sure the businessmen will not outsource the jobs. The question is - Can you live like that? Do you know what it is to not have AC/ hot water/clean houses, beautiful roads and apartments/ pollution free environment. Not have what even your beggers on the street have - Those who come with a ciggarette in one hand and a begging bowl (plastic jar) in the other? My wife often asks me how beggars in America can afford to smoke and drink coke. When you dip lower than that level you can not even relate. You can only see and make comments which come from a mind which has no idea about what it feels to be there. Indians are sorry that you are losing jobs, but they will not stop at taking the jobs if someone offers them, because they want to fill their stomach. Because they are afraid of falling into the annals of poverty which you can not even imagine, let alone fear.
About Dirty Politics and corruption - Did not one of Kane and Abel kill the other? Dirty politics comes from greed for money and power or some other greed. So its everywhere. In India you can bribe a cop for 25 cents. In USA you can wipe out an entire nation for finding one terrorist. So its only a difference in magnitude. The root is the same dirty politics. In India we are so busy finding our next meal that we are not having time to look at the slums that you have shown here. In USA you are so busy finding weapons of mass destruction that you dont have time to look at thousands being killed in the process. So who is the bigger politicians and who is talking about what? Change is going to happen. Slowly. One has to accept that. Either use change to build healthier and better world or use it to blame and hate each other. Choice is there. It was always there. History teaches and the Universe teaches even better.
In the end, I am sorry for all those losing jobs. Sorry for those who are mortified by all the poverty in India. Sorry for all the poor. Sorry that I am not doing enough to make this planet a better place to live in. And sorry if i did not make any sense at all.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Gina — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:24:47 GMT

Having travelled extensively throughout India and appreciating the culture for exactly what it is, I am surprised that people forget this country has a caste system that has existed for centuries. This is their culture. This is what they know. The Indian government has consistently created programs to get people off the streets and improve their quality of life, but most refuse. They live this way because it's what they know. It is their choice, it is their belief that they were born to that caste. Interestly, India is one of the most beautiful cultures I have ever been exposed to, full of quiet dignity and grace that one would be hard pressed to find anywhere in the U.S.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

billy, san jose — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:33:28 GMT

This is not about the poor in India. This is about the poor all over the world. This movie brings out the reality of the world, that there is suffering all over. There is poverty, disease and hunger in every counrty. Poverty of this magnitude is a problem of our generation and we need to deal with it irrespective of where it is.

Every person has a right to live a healthy and in some cases a rich life. But remember these are people who had the opportunity to lead a healthy life like you and me. And there are some who rose from the slums to make a better life for themselves. But what about those who never got that chance. Do we let them live in their misery, or do we go out there and do something about it.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

paytonlee, Orlando — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:34:34 GMT

As an American who lived in India for sometime I feel I must make the statement that these slums are no different than the ones in our major cities. If you call it caste or class it is a systems that separates the haves with the have nots. This is a global unity and instead we continue with our beligerent adherence to race separation. The plight of the lower class or caste is that the upper class and caste is unforgiving and never allows to forget what we were born into. There will be the select few that are allowed to break out, but most of us do not have the connections to do so. It is not who you are, it is who you know and thus it will always be. The most brilliant mind can be lost in poverty. The greatest leader can be murdered by greedy one. This is humanity. Are we so great?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Sam, Chicago — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:35:18 GMT

Desi_in_Indy, Indianapolis, IN : Before you tell any one to shut up, Look your own face in the mirror. The poverty in India/caste system has nothing to do with the USA. If you hate US so much why the hell you go and live in the dump and see for yourself. 99.99999999% of Indians who back to settle in Idnia return back to the western country. The rest who stay back oare social workers and Missionaries. The way India is because of people like you!!!!!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Bob, Mumbai, India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:57:54 GMT

I don't understand why the west is obsessed with poverty and filth in developing nations. From what I hear, the slum dwellers in India have filed a lawsuit protesting their portrayal in the movie (the exaggeration and filth created for the pathetic western audience so they can feel good about themselves).

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Rahul, India — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:31:57 GMT

The problem is not so much social inequalities or the caste system. These slums and ghettoes have many 'upper caste' Brahmin and Rajputs, from the Hindi heartland of UP and Bihar. The essential problem with Indian cities, after their modernisation is their population expansion, receiving migrants from villages across the country and the ever-growing stress of humans on the infrastructure and possibilities that a city can bear with.

Actually, cities that are no much of an attraction, from the perspective of economics and commerce, in the state of Rajasthan, for example, the sanitation and general hygiene is better than it is in megapolises like Bombay, Bangalore or Delhi.

And on the other hand, you have villages where modernisation has virtually destroyed institutions and self-sustaining economies of communities. And the problem is only going to get to extreme levels as more migrants travel into these sinking megapolises. This brings to the surface the real issues, of governance and priorities of Indian governments, since the last days of the Mughal rule(which saw domestic civil disturbances and foreign invasions as well) and the days of the English 'Raaj' which have ripped the heart of Indian villages, absolutely apart.

What I mean is, this problem is directly a consequence of the ruin of the Indian rural communities.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Chris, Philadelphia, PA — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:10:33 GMT

I'm startled by the number of people who have so little accurate information on the caste system. The caste system has no prevalence in India right now. Compare it to the discrimination that happens in the US against blacks, and your pointing to hypocracy at its prime. If you knew, its more difficult for higher castes to get into colleges in India due to the previous caste system issues, and this affirmative action is happening in India. Guess what, see how much it's really happening in the US. So look at your own, then comment about others attitudes.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Lahaina — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:55:53 GMT

Yes indeed, the problem is overpopulation, in the 60s & 70s India had a strong pirth control program, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was criticised by many Muslims that it was means to decrease their numbers, so they were exempt from limiting the number of children, and of course could have multiple wives. This is reflecte din the birth rate...Muslims have double the rate of other groups.
Mumbai is flooded with illegal immigrants form Bangla Desh, who live in these slums.
Also, did you think what the plight of Europeans would have been, if its excess population didn't have N. & S. Americas, Australia, NZ, to send it masses?
European cities just a 100 years ago, or evn NYC, Chicago had horribel lving conditions.

To Jesse Lake:Have you thought about how many jobs were lost in the US to China because of the manufacturing industries moving there or to Mexico?
US lost almost 3 million jobs 2001-2005 to China, and about 300,000 service jobs to India form 2003-2007.
Who is worrying about the factory jobs being lost at a massive scale?
US is debtor nation as far as China is concerned, Through the quarter-century in which China has been opening to world trade, Chinese leaders have deliberately held down living standards for their own people and propped them up in the United States.
This is the real meaning of the vast trade surplus—$1.4 trillion and counting, going up by about $1 billion per day—that the Chinese government has mostly parked in U.S. Treasury notes.
In effect, every person in the (rich) United States has over the past 10 years or so borrowed about $4,000 from someone in the (poor) People’s Republic of China.
Like so many imbalances in economics, this one can’t go on indefinitely, and therefore won’t.
Now it is ending —suddenly.
Wake up America, don't wreck this great nation with laziness, entitlement, greed.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Vishan — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 20:20:06 GMT

I am of indian Desecent my forefathers leftg india in the 1800's to travel to guyana south america in hope of a better life, i know that the slums will change it will not hange right away but it will and i have faith in god.
Wheter these people make 8 or 10 children they are humans, and everyone in my opinion should be a humanitarian

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Dan, Wilmington,DE — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:01:54 GMT

I agree with the comments made by Swati,Sai and William Davis. If you have'nt go find and read them again.Those who make smart,selfish, stupid comments just by getting information from the media and idiot box, should learn the realities by reading books and visiting the portrayed places anywhere in the world in person which may facilitate the remodeling of their attitude and outlook first of their own selves and then the others.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Me - A concerned person — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:05:46 GMT

Some very cruel comments. How many posters here have been to 125th Street and beyond in Harlem, NY??

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

rana, new orleans, la — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:57:28 GMT

rich, upper class and general middle class do not know about india very much, they see india through themselves. how the slum dwellers live, survive and work are not understood by indian fortunate and somewhat fortunate class. smart and intelligent indians are percentage wise small, even though the may be smart per world standard. majority of suffering indians are deprived of education, health and employment opportunities, which is detrimental towards indian progress and takes the country downwards and indian intelect on percentage basis falls well below international level. slumdog movie is trying to portray to the indian public and world, so that indian govts., riches and rich religious organizations come for their rescue.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

get educated bangalore and honolulu — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 23:18:25 GMT

satya,

are you kidding?! bangalore has NO slums?? there is so much poverty scattered through the city...

also, no one has a right to criticize a country from what they see on TV or on the Web. Finally, for people upset that india is "stealing" American jobs, maybe Americans should become more patriotic and invest in USA rather than exploiting other countries and sending coveted jobs overseas for better profit margins.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

dalbir plaha, sunnyvale, ca. — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:03:55 GMT

May be MaxKapadia should re-read history. The ancient caste system of India made it virtually impossible for one to improve his or her lot. It was the dreaded caste nsystem that kept India in poverty and exploitation by the higher caste Brahmins. Millions of Indians toil in the fields for generation to repay the debts and the higher caste land owners treat them like slaves. The caste system of India, Mr. Kapadia, helped to prolong the plight of the debt ridden lower castes. It was only during the rule of the Mughals and the British that lower castes finally awakened to the brutality of the upper classes. Had India not experienced the advent of the Mughals and the British, she would still be like some of the poor African countries. British rule exposed India to wider horizons and advancement in heavy industry and hightech would have never happened had the British not ruled India.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Emma,Dallas, Texas — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:11:17 GMT

Hey! even American family's are living in slums and don't have food to eat or health insurance. So I don't see what is the big deal. Every country is suffering especially now days with the economy to pot everyone sooner or later will be out in the streets if things don't pick up soon. I think that all the AH's that took all our tax payer money and did What? with it need to really give it back or go to prison for robbery. Bush should also go to prison for doing nothing to help American's keep their jobs or homes. Someone has to help us American's yesterday. Everyone is disperate. Help! Help America Now!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Nelily — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:03:32 GMT

Please , stop that negativity about sending job to india and importing goods from india. Why not let the people be what they want to be.Now as to importing, sending jobs to them is due to their arduos hard working people who just like any normal american , european, scandivs person.We see slums in all countries. Indians are beautiful people, Indian rich and poor people are the most hospitality people, nicest I have ever met. Viva India, God bless India and its people.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Greg, Cleveland, Ohio — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:14:14 GMT

It's not just overpopulation. India's population density is lower than Japan's or New Jersey's.

Slumdog Millionaire is an amazing movie. Not a "wait for DVD" film.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Ronald N. Babcock Pulaski, New York — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 04:15:46 GMT

I get a laugh every time I read the blogs. The people, mostly have no touch of reality beyond their little towns and villages in the "United States of Dollar Bill"! Actually they are the lucky ones who were born in this country and have never ventured beyond our shores! I have seen it all or at least most of it. Born in the U.S.A. we grew up in a time when people did care np matter what their cirunstances here were!That is no longer true at all in the U.S.A.! My ancestry is from three European countries (Not German/American, African?America .....as people say today! My flesh tone is light (I am not Black or White as most Americans refer to themselves as today). I served my country in the reserves when I was in High School and active duty afterwards. Eight of my frieds, including my brother did too. I believe we are world citizens! Not caring is an affliction we can no longer live by and make this world continue to evolve for all! Walk the slums of Mumbai, Istanbul, Pakistan, India or the slums of New York City... etc! We are all the same! Believe that or not! Birth is our only difference!

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

d.b. phoenix, az. — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:13:35 GMT

one day we will all be poor,then we will see if theese people in thier cushy lives with all the answers survive or are eatin.
ps. jesses opinion is as valid as the rest.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Robert, Melbourne, Australia — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:56:49 GMT

Hands up those who honestly believe other countries can help.....lets face it, we all have our own problems that need fixing.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Jake, Ill — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:12:33 GMT

Lokesh. Whoa we don't need any more Hitler talk going on here. but seriously who really cares. the world is going to hell in a hand-basket so lets all just hop in and enjoy the ride. take time to enjoy what life is itself, because pretty soon thats all there is going to be left.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Jake, Ill — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 10:21:59 GMT

To Sai,

Well put.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Samir Rathore — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 16:10:21 GMT

Max kapadia - Houston TX, Jan 30
I am surprised that you blame the Moguls & the British for the divisions in the Indian society. The Hindu Mythology is based on a CAST system, where the untouchales are the lowest catse in the order.
This cast system encourages the Upper Castes to hate the lower ones & keep them depdived of everything good. This Caste System plays a major role in the creation of these slums.

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

Narain, Bangalore, India — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:53:37 GMT

I saw this movie in a small auditorium in a smal town in India a month before it was officially released in my country ! Prior to that I had no idea of what this movie was all about. The ticket cost me about 60 US cents (against US $ 3.50 in a swanky, air=conditioned mall in Bangalore). Pirating is one of the many faces of corruption, and so is my patronage of such activities. I've also read all the comments posted so far. Collectively, we've all identified the global, regional and national causes of poverty : corruption, overpopulation, illiteracy, greed, selfishness, social ladders, apathy, religious beliefs, impotence of democracy, and superstitions. The tragedy for all mankind is that many of these causes are across the board, i.e. across countries and individuals(with very, very few exceptions). It's only a matter of degree across the global human spectrum. The solution ? Can there ever be one ?

Dreams meet reality in the slums of Mumbai

A.S.Mathew — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:22:47 GMT

I have seen the slums from the plane at Bombay, and
went inside the slums in New Delhi. We can say " this
is too big a problem, who can solve it?" Delhi has
14 million population, out of which, 4 million live
in the slums. It is heart-breaking to see the
hopelessness in their face. When I participated in
a medical camp, I could feel like I did something
pleasing unto God. If the rich people won't take
any action to help these people, one person at a time,
nothing will change. The slums will be getting bigger
every day, and more lives are gone to eternity earlier
due to the lack of food and medical care. As human beings, we have a moral and spiritual responsibility
to help these people, so that we can serve God; and
God would be greatly pleased with such a worship of
serving the poor. This is applicable to the followers
of all religions.