Engineers discuss slums prevention by right thinking

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 13, 2014:  B S Bhaskar of Achyutaashrama, Nagasamudra in Chitradurga. Speaking on the topic Voices from slums organised by The institution of Engineers Mangalore local centre, Institution of Valuers Mangalore branch and Kodagu, DK, Udupi Engineers Association here said that he would like to the cries from the slum to be seen in reality. He said, "To see a change in the living conditions of slum dwellers of India, first we, the citizens have to crack down the slum existing in our minds,"

"On an average, 10,000 people are reaching Bangalore daily with an intention of settling in the city.  Imagine the  resources they require in a city which is already facing resource crunch and the wastes they produce. As our system fails miserably to offer drainage or sewage facilities to the people, it goes on to pave the way for the creation of slums," he said.

Pointing to the government apathy towards the welfare of slum dwellers, Bhaskar felt that the welfare measures should first reach to those who are in dire need. "Instead of providing bicycles to all children, why cant government prioritise its concern towards the most deprived kids of slums? Focusing on the children in the slums is the right approach to rescue them from the life of living in hell," he added. He lamented that the disdain through which the common people view the slum dwellers was highly condemnable.

"We should develop a humanitarian approach towards them and extend a helping hand to uplift them from the miserable conditions." The Institution of Engineers Mangalore local centre Chairman Dr S Shrihari presided.