Finally, some light for slum dwellers!

The lives of around 30 families living in thatched huts for several years near Autonagar have lit up, quite literally. The slum adjacent to MG Road near Autonagar gate has been neglected for several years. Every year during election, many politicians promise to provide electricity to them, but things remain the same on ground. The families were forced to depend on kerosene lamps to assist them in the night.

But now, a small intervention of the Montfort Social Institute-sponsored Campaign for Housing and Tenurial Rights (CHATRI) has finally brought in a welcome change. Chatri local coordinator SK Alisha and the Right To Information activist K Satyanarayana noticed the plight of these slum dwellers and held a series of interactions with officials.

Finally, Abide Infrastructure Private Limited came forward to donate solar lights for these families. Abide Infra chairman K Vijayakumar donate 30 solar lights, which were handed over to the slum dwellers on Monday.

It was but natural for the men, women and children who expressed joy over the solar lights. “It is unfortunate that 30 families were living in darkness for all these years and that too in our midst,” said Vijayakumar after handing over the lights.

He thanked CHATRI for their initiative. “The solar lights would be of great help for these families who have been otherwise living in darkness for several years. The children were very enthused to have some lighting in their huts after several years,” asserted CHATRI coordinator Alisha.