7/30/2019 Dharavi Essay Rough Draft

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Elizabeth Meister

#709

In the Heart of Mumbai

One million dreamers in one square mile. But where are these dreamers? In Mumbai, India of

course. A slum is where these dreamers live. It is in the heart of Mumbai and sandwiched

between two railroad tracks. Each day in Dharavi everyone who lives there is at work, parents

are trying their hardest to give their children hope, and people are trying to achieve their goals no

matter how difficult they mightbe. Thats the way Dharavi works.

To begin with, there is a single woman named Laxmi who lives in Dharavi. Laxmi is

defiantly a dreamer. Her dream is for a better future, especially for her daughter, Sheetal. Laxmi

works in Dharavis largest industry, recycling. She works each day sorting trash and makes only

about one hundred dollars a month. Sheetal is very devoted to her mom and she attends school

with a good attitude for it. Education for Sheetal is the path to a better life, her mother says.

When she works in the recycling industry, Laxmi faces great dangers. Some of them being

needles, chemicals, and human-waste since there are open sewers. The Acorn Foundation is a

service that Laxmi volunteers at which helps slum dwellers. To conclude, Dharavi works

because Laxmi is one of the many dreamers who pushes on for a better future.

Next, there is a 12 year old boy name Jigha. Jigha lives with his father, a tailor, and three

sisters. He is a big dreamer but a small person. His dream is to become a scientist. To achieve

this dream he attends extra classes and promises to study hard. He feels that even poor people

can be successful with their dreams no matter how big they might be. Their house is only one

room, and is also the tailors shop as well. However, the family doesnt make a lot of money

mending clothes. Jighas father tries to give him hope to become a scientist and helps him study.

To end, Dharavi works because Jighas father gives his child hope as many of the parents in

7/30/2019 Dharavi Essay Rough Draft

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Dharavi do.

In the third place comes a man named Shailesh. Shailesh is a big dreamer with big hopes. He

has a big dream. His dream is to become an actor in Bollywood. However, his first priority is his

family. Shailesh earns about two-hundred and forty dollars a month driving a rickshaw on the

bustling streets of Mumbai in order to feed his family and attend his classes. To become and

actor Shailesh attends acting classes and has been in one music video so far. His instructor

believes that Shailesh isnt quite ready to go on to Bollywood, even though he gives his best

effort. Even though he hasnt succeeded so far, Shailesh is still persistent to achieve his dream

and doesnt give up. To finish, Dharavi works because Shailesh and other people are persistent in

their approach to their dream.

To conclude, each and every day in Dharavi everyone is at work, parents are trying to give

their children hope and courage, and people are trying to achieve their goals no matter how

difficult they might be. The future of Dharavi in my eyes is that all one million of the residents

will reach their dreams and goals, and move on as citizens who are successful.