My visit to Ritchi Slum

Chindhadripet was the spot where I had to go for my observation which is a part of field work. The area I entered into was called Ritche Street which is actually a biggest slum to my sight. Now I pen down the scene that is engraved in my mind and try my best to drive you to the spot through imagination.

The slum is located at the right side of the Railway station towards Velachery. When I stepped into the street, four little boys were playing Cricket with a flat wood and a plastic ball. The ball flew to me as if it is wishing to hug me and welcome me. The boys except the batsman came running to catch the ball and crossed me. There I saw the DMK office which was locked.

The lane was busy with people minding their own jobs. Some women were washing clothes on the road, some having their bath and one youngster brushing his teeth. I was surprised to see a two floored house in that area. Each floor had eight houses with two common toilet and bathroom. Tricycles and bikes were parked on the both side of the road. Thatch roofs were covered with plastic sheets in order to be protected from rain. Some bikes were passing us and I was looked strange in that area by the local.

As I walked down the street, I saw two parallel lanes by my right side. I wander whether they were lanes or just a gap. I was urged to go through that way to see how it is. To my surprise, that lane had around twenty houses both sides and people did not grumble about its status. They wash their vessels, 2 women were preparing their breakfast by lighting their cerosine stove on the road side. Idly was getting ready with good smelling sambar. I wanted to taste it but my health did not allow me to. Two small petti shops were there with chips packets and other necessary items. The sizes of the houses were so pathetic. Some people had two separate rooms, where they had their cupboard and other things kept in one room and the other room was for them to sleep. If I lay down in that room, my head and leg would touch the walls of the room. Every house had a television set and the government TV was rarely found there. That one single lane serves as a Bathing room for men, play ground for kids and toddlers, at the same time a place to relax for elders and young boys.

I really don’t mind calling it a noisy atmosphere. Every house had their TV in on with same or different channels, some had songs playing out. Along with these noises, there was a temple in the corner of the lane where it had its loud speaker play the devotional songs. In that very small lane, I happen to see a very small namas place for muslim. It should be 3 X 3 in size. There were two terrace houses in this area which had Air condition unit fixed outside on the wall. One was the house of an Advocate where I came to know this through the board that he has hung at his door step. When I neared that temple, I saw women offering their prayers and a girl had a small stall exactly at the entrance of the temple where she was giving vada and Cesari in a small plate for them who come to the temple and to them who asked for it. I was amazed to see a woman wearing pardha get it from her and eat it.

The corner drove me to right and moved that way. I saw a little fellow sitting naked on the road beside his mother and was playing with that small plate which had sweet in it. He ate that sweet with that same dirty hand right in front of his mother who never bothered to say “No”. She was enjoying her food along with another lady, whose son was running about in the street half naked. They enjoy their freedom in this hot sun and that made me zealous.

As I passed that place, I saw library by name “Gostche Library” which looks like it is locked for many days. People were sitting in front of it and were enjoying their meals. My heart throbbed to see the library standing out by losing its fame and value. I took the other parallel lane which would lead me to the starting point. That lane had a government building which actually which is suppose to serve the sick people. The place which has to be hygienic was decorated with garbage of that area. Many other houses were also in the same state. But people had no worries about it and they continued with their regular jobs. Some had pet dog in that lane; I wonder how they manage to maintain it.

After coming out of that area, we came to the starting point which is actually Chindhadripet water corporation office. Many auto-rickshaws were parked in by the sides as many of them there were auto drivers. A small boy around 10 years old hiding behind an auto and was trying to escape from his mothers sight cause she was searching for him to send him to the shop. Unlucky boy got caught in his mother’s sight.

Later my sight was fixed to a drunken man who was trying to walk steady. But he measured the road with his mouth playing the filthy words. He then went into a small gap. I was eager to know where that gap leads to and after few minutes I took that gap and was really shocked to know it was another lane like the others. Houses were there; also there was a temple floored with tiles and painted bright. As I moved down the lane I came across a tea shop there; next to it was a petti shop which was also selling some vegetables. The Tea shop was visible only when I went close to it. I went till the end and wished to take a walk second time in that same lane and come back to the place where I started. To my surprise, one house had white tiles, sofa set, Fridge, TV and was well maintained. That area was clean when compared to all other lanes. The man who was sitting outside that house had the flag of DMK tattooed in his chest. This gave made me understand the possibility. The most hurting part is that the whole area has only one common public toilet.

People though were seemed to be happy about what they are and what they have. But in reality, does this show that India has developed or has it got a long way to move on?  Or is this is hypothetical? People walk bare footed there and it seem like they don’t understand the importance of healthy life. The life they live really hurts me and it is so pathetic to see them in that condition. Is there a solution for them? I wish I could help them in some way. I left the place with these questions prevailing in my mind.