Comments on: Slumdog Engineer

By: Sushant Pandit

Sushant Pandit — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:37:14 +0000

This is nothing new. That utilities have to to be delivered efficiently to all even to the ones who are economically disadvantaged is not a new idea. While the authors say that it would be prudent to remove the tag ’slums’ but they themselves fall into the sterotype by naming the network as ’slum-network’. How ironic!

By: Priti

Priti — Sat, 23 May 2009 21:40:03 +0000

Thanks for all the comments. I agree that the typcial ‘Aid’ model is not relevant and will not change the living conditions of millions of slum dwellings. Self sufficient financial models, integrated infrastructure, robust land policies and partnerships is the way forward.

By: Umashankar

Umashankar — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:09:07 +0000

Hey Priti,

Congratulations! for the article..

Uma

By: pratyush

pratyush — Wed, 20 May 2009 03:54:59 +0000

Good that Priti and colleagues have shown the benefits of Slum Networking initiatives. I wish more International Humanitarian agencies begin to understand it. This study really attacks the root of the problem; as to how we perceive poverty, third world or slums.

The typical “Aid” model for “helping the poor” really does not help as it isolates the community even further. What most large aid agencies fail to realize that even in slums there is vitality, coherent social structure and also some form of system of justice. They are not special districts but very much part and parcel of the city and hence an approach to network them, rather than isolate seems to be a brilliant idea. It also requires a fundamental shift in the way we see slums or poor. Great job by this team.

BTW – Films like “Slumdog Millionaire” definitely do not help the cause! All they do is create a marketable stereotype of slums in India and sell it to the worldwide audience. Very shallow, exaggerated and far from reality. Such movies only lead to more “sympathy” and consequently the “Aid” kind of approach to such communities.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:08:16 +0000

The Mumbai slum home of one of the child stars of the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire has been demolished by city authorities, according to the BBC.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8049735.stm

By: Ares

Ares — Mon, 11 May 2009 20:31:36 +0000

It’s good to know someone understands that a systematic plan will be the most successful approach to this problem. Inspiring post, I will be back for updates. Thanks!

By: Karrasko

Karrasko — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:45:13 +0000

Good for them!. I hope they will improve more human habitats like Brazil’s “fabelas”, which are similar to the slums.
http://esns.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/ESS_BILBAO

By: ResearchBlogging.org

ResearchBlogging.org — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:23:49 +0000

Slumdog Engineer http://tinyurl.com/qggj2h

By: New ScienceNews

New ScienceNews — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:41:34 +0000

Sciencebase: Slumdog Engineer | Charity Computers and Environmental Waste | Swine: http://tinyurl.com/o7gfv3 Full http://tinyurl.com/ppuysj

By: Andrew Maynard

Andrew Maynard — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:39:42 +0000

RT @sciencebase: Slumdog Engineer: New thinking on improving living conditions for the poor http://tr.im/l1tZ