Footpath to flats

Laxmi Naidu addressing students at the Mahila Milan office

Dressed in a blue sari, Laxmi Naidu appears frail but commands my attention the moment she starts talking. “Main zyaada padheli- likheli nahi hoon. 2-3 class padhi hoon bas,” she says. Previously, a pavement dweller, Naidu is now a proud owner of a flat. However, the journey from Nagpada to Mankhurd has been a rocky road. To beautify Mumbai the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) would break down huts all over the city. Which forced slum dwellers like Naidu to rebuild their lives each time this happened.

Things started to look up, when Sheela Patel, the founding director of Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centers (SPARC) stepped in and procured ration cards for 536 pavement dwellers from Nagpada. She advised women like Naidu to come forward and engage in dialogue with authorities to improve their living condition. With Patel’s guidance, the women from Nagpada began their search for land in the city. They reviewed Goregaon, Malad and Dharavi and finally found land  in Mankhurd that would accommodate all 536 of them.

Meanwhile, the BMC gave them a day’s notice to clear their huts; or they would demolish them. This time these women decided to fight back. On the day of the BMC visit they all stayed at home. The next day, when the BMC arrived with 15 vans and police personnel, Naidu stood her ground and assured them that they would break their own Jhopdas (huts) and shift.

For the first time the BMC agreed. And, they witnessed the power of unity and celebrated by starting the organization, Mahila Milan with the help of Patel. Patel also encouraged them to save. With the help of Jockin Arputham, president of the National Slum Dwellers Federation, they started the Bachat Yojna.  Every day they put aside 1 ana, 4 ana, 1 rupee and within three months, they had collectively saved Rupees 90,000. The women of Mahila Milan, now give loans at minimum interest to women in need.

Details of Laxmi's daily savings.

Mahila Milan started mobilizing in 1986 and 15 years later they finally acquired the land. However,  then the people were apprehensive to shift. They made statements like, “Kya ghar milega, kuch nahi milega.” But Naidu never gave up, she always responded with, “Kyu nahi milega.”

Women paying off a loan installment on a taxi

The women of Mahila Milan also designed their flats. They created a model using chatai (mat) and saris and presented it to the Government. Naidu says, “Ek hi ghar mein beti, bahu aur saas rehti hai.” Thus, they designed houses as high as 14 feet so that one flat would have two floors and could accommodate large families. Unlike most housing socities, Mahila Milan Nagar Society has a common toilet for all the three families staying on the floor. Each family takes turns to clean the toilet every 10 days. This prevent fights over cleanliness and saves the expense of maids.

By shifting to Mankhurd and getting their own flats, the women of Mahila Milan have earned respect. Naidu says, "Because we own a flat people are no longer reluctant to give us their daughters in marriage."

Mahila Milan Co-operative Housing Society

Owning a flat in Mumbai is a dream for most people. Laxmi Naidu and the women of Mahila Milan through their relentless hardwork and initiative materilized this dream for 536 pavement dwellers.