That slum in Mumbai is the biggest attraction for foreign tourists in India

Dharavi slum in Mumbai is said to be the largest slum in Asia. Many travel websites in India describe the slum as a wonderful travel experience for foreigners.   A tourist wrote about his experience on a website after visiting the Dharavi slum in Mumbai.   "I had a great day. Everyone there was very friendly. No one was begging." He is just one of thousands of tourists eager to see the narrow alleys of India's slums. It has been named "slum tourism" or "poverty tourism".   That's how it started This controversial tourism business in India is making quite good money.   Tourists are going to see the lives of the poor and needy people up close as part of their vacation in India.   You might think that most people would mention the famous Taj Mahal as their favorite destination when visiting India.   But the Dharavi slum experience is now being promoted as the most popular tourist experience.   It has also been named one of the most popular tourist destinations on the popular international travel website TripAdvisor.  

fig: Collected

Krishna Pujari started a company called "Reality Tours and Travel" in 2005.   This company is involved in the introduction of such controversial tourism in India.   Krishna Pujari says, "Most of the tourists who come to experience the slums come from the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia."   He says, "I was very confused when my company's co-founder, a British friend, Christ Christ Way, told me to start a tour like this. Why would anyone want to see a slum? Then I realized there was a lot to see and learn."   Talking about the people of Dharavi slum Dharavi is located in the heart of Mumbai. An estimated one million people live there.   And like all slums narrow alleys, dark huts, open dirty drains and smelly toilets are the main features.   Many of the residents work in leather goods factories.   Which are advanced export materials. Also involved in embroidery factory, plastic material production and pottery industry.   Krishna Pujari started a company called “Reality Tours and Travel” in 2005.     The business here is estimated at 650 million. However, there are more drivers, day laborers and people of various professions.   In a sense, the people of this slum have survived the wheel of Mumbai.   Read more: 'Abusive Boy' runs Oscars from Mumbai slums   In my eyes, the world: not corruption-poverty, Pakistan is the only enemy?   That is why there is a demand for Nepalis in Dhaka casinos.  

Why are tourists so interested in slums? Melissa Nisbet traveled to Dharavi in ​​2016. He wandered around the slums for six hours.   "Actually, we've been looking at slums since the Victorian era. In the beginning, it was all about entertainment. But then it merged with social reform," he says.   You can also experience eating in the slums. Tourism companies have sprung up to provide such an experience.   They call it "cultural exchange".   "Inside Mumbai" is one such company. But this is not the first time Westerners have traveled to see poverty.   Earlier, such tourism was introduced in slums of Brazil and South Africa.   Melissa Nisbet says, "The reason I went is because I think other tourists have gone there for the same reason. It's about realizing the reality of life."   He said he was concerned about what he saw there.   "Romanticism" about poverty? Melissa says, "In this case, the slums have been presented in such a way that there will be no problem if they go there. Poverty has been ignored, as if it is a normal reality. Rather, poverty has been romanticized."   He says talking to slum dwellers directly on these trips is discouraged so it is difficult to understand their feelings.   Residents have also become accustomed to going about their daily lives without paying attention to these foreign tourists.   Melissa has thousands of slum travel experiences on her website. Going to analyze them, he was quite shocked.   He has seen most tourists going there with concerns about poverty. But there is no problem with the attitude of spending time there.     Trying to bring the stimulus of slum action to the fore? Krishna Pujari says they are not just highlighting poverty.   They also want to show the work ethic of slum dwellers to survive.   He says, "We present the whole reality. We talk about everything from hanging coils to dirty business. Slums mean we just want to change the perception of poverty, begging and crime."   His company does not allow tourists to take pictures there so that the slum dwellers do not feel uncomfortable.  

Fabian Frenzell, a lecturer at the University of Leicester, said: "Such a trip may help to draw attention to the complex problems of the poor and slum dwellers."   He thinks that this may have some positive effects. The risk of evictions due to tourists may be reduced.   Fabian Frenzell says, "India is sending rockets to the moon, but at the same time there is a huge population living below the extreme poverty line.   Other news: Donald Trump: What's behind the impeachment attempt?   Will the ongoing anti-corruption campaign be successful?   Is it possible to do business without compromising with those in power?

Written by, Sayka Arifin Orpita

References (Information Collected)  

Click Here to Visit