Old Delhi's homeless play 'host' to many others
Guests are something that they least expect at their dwellings but the homeless people, who live in a shelter at Ramlila Maidan, are getting them by the dozens these days.
Guests are something that they least expect at their dwellings but the homeless people, who live in a shelter at Ramlila Maidan, are getting them by the dozens these days.
The 20 people living in the homeless shelter at the gate of Ramlila Maidan have been a forgotten lot since summers arrived. But they now find themselves as part of an anti-corruption euphoria that the national Capital is in the throes of.
"The occupation in the shelter has gone up. Last night there were around 40 people in the shelter home, up from a usual number of 20," said Hira Lal, who is the caretaker at the shelter that is being run by Indo-Global Social Service Society.
Homeless people from areas such as Janakpuri and Mayapuri are the new occupants. Most came along with Anna Hazare's motorcade. A majority of them are young boys.
"It was like a fair outside Tihar Jail and we had fun. That's why we came here as well. We'll go back on Monday or Tuesday," said Chinnu (10), a homeless boy who works in a factory at Mayapuri.
But it is not just guests that Hazare has brought with him. After a very long time the homeless people are getting three meals a day, all free of cost.
"During winters, some people send food and clothes for us but once summers come, everyone forgets about us. Anna got food for us and that is why we are supporting him," said Krishna Kumar Sahni (25), a daily wage labourer.