Are we citizens of this country?
We are not heard. Except as voters, our existence is not noticed. As if we do not deserve civic amenities. But we are toiling workers contributing to the prosperity of the great metropolis of Hyderabad. We are the residents of the slum of Jagdish Huts in the old city of Hyderabad.
There is no sewerage drain in our slum. We have to collect the water used in our houses into a pit and drain it ourselves. When it rains it is worse. The rainwater refuses to drain from our colony. Collected sewerage breeds mosquitoes. Our children often fall sick. The toddlers fall into the sewerage pit. The stink keeps us always in the best mood to quarrel.
Not that we did not bring these woes to the notice of the authorities. We did it umpteen times. The Manager HMWS & SB, the Executive Engineer, Circle II, MCH, the local MLA and the local Corporator, even the MP have been receiving our representations for more than a year. No one took notice.
We also offered shramadanam in the efforts to build the SW drainage line.
- Residents of Iqbaluddoula Devdi, Jagdish Huts
