Safai Mitras: A Facelift to the Rag Pickers and Sweepers
Safai Mitras: A Facelift to the Rag Pickers and Sweepers
Authors : Manish Maskara and Sonakshi Anand
Subodh (name changed), belonged to the Musahar community and took to ragpicking1 when he migrated from his native village to the city around 15 years ago. He would collect rags and other waste from streets and garbage-dumps around Buddha Colony in Patna, Bihar (India) and sell them to itinerant buyers, which earned him a paltry sum of Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 per day on an average, that could go up to a maximum of Rs. 100 on a good day. Though this meagre earning was insufficient for running his household in an urban setting, he had no option! Each day brought new challenges and struggles that included social ostracism and police atrocities. He had no ‘voice’ in the society!
But Subodh was not alone in his struggle. There were a thousand rag pickers like him, who were going through similar experiences. In the year 2000, Nidan, an organization based in Patna, identified the rag-pickers and their issues and started strategic intervention to bring about positive changes in their lives.
How this was made possible is a story of hope and enormous will-power backed by firm conviction to make it happen.
To read full or to save a copy click on the Download link below: