After nearly two decades, Shamim Ismail (45) can look forward to a peaceful night’s sleep.
No more stinking garbage dumps, midnight queues at a common tap and stinking common public toilets.
With a roof over her head complete, mother of Slumdog Millionaire actor Azaharuddin feels like royals. “Our family has never owned a proper house. Thanks to our child we now have two homes,” said Shamim.
The family currently sleeps under a sheet of plastic tarpaulin after the municipal corporation razed down their unauthorised shanty in Bandra’s Garib Nagar.
This week, the Jai Ho Trust promised the family a flat in Vile Parle while the MHADA finalised a flat in Malad.
Shamim is busy with preparations for the new house. “One of the houses needs painting work and new tiles. I am arranging for some money and enquiring about the rates,” she said.
She is also trying her luck to see if she could get a better flat by MHADA. “I don’t like house too much. It is very small and messy. But we might not get another house, so we’ll take this,” said Shamim.