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In this big world, we can divide it into two main parts: water and land. The land can further be divided into various sections like deserts, hills, mountains, forests, and settlements. Since humans do not live underwater, it is uncommon to observe life beneath the water; this topic will be saved for another day. Today, I want to share my thoughts about settlements and the people living in them, as these are easier for me to visit and observe.
In this vast world, Bangladesh is very small in area, Khulna is also a small part of Bangladesh, and the Rupsha slum is even smaller part of Khulna. However, in this tiny part of the world, the problems people face is quite big. Their lives are insecure economically, socially, and sometimes environmentally. Surprisingly, many wealthy children in Bangladesh do not even know that slums exist! But that’s something to talk about later.
Last Friday, I visited the Rupsha slum in Khulna, Bangladesh, spent a lot of time there, trying to understand the lives of the people living in the slum. I observed their housing conditions, living standards, and economic situation, but particularly, their social and strategic behavior was noticeable. If I were to give an overall comment about the slum, it would be:
“Infrastructurally good, economically average, socially and strategically very poor.”
This statement is purely personal and based on my observations. Let me break down the statement and provide evidence.
It is true that the majority of slum residents live in unhygienic and dirty housing. The condition of most houses is quite poor. There are drains, washrooms, and water supply, so why is the condition still poor?
One reason could be the lack of space. In almost every house, multiple family members live together, but the houses are extremely small, leaving no room to move freely. Second reason might be the presence of public toilets nearby, which causes unpleasant smells to be a common issue. Lastly, during the rainy season, water accumulates and makes the houses even more unhealthy.
In public places like schools, the population density is often higher than in slums. It is true that schools are not permanent place for the students, but if proper steps are taken, the problem of density can be minimized. Secondly, public toilets often spread bad smells, whereas in most urban houses, rooms have attached washrooms, and bad smells are not a common issue. So, this problem can also be minimized. Thirdly, during the rainy season, waterlogging occurs as waste is dumped into the drains. However, if the residents of slums were more socially aware and strategic, this problem could be reduced.
Though, there is significant potential to develop slums infrastructurally, but due to a lack of proper training and awareness, the existing infrastructure is not being used effectively.
Economically, the people in this community have the ability to meet their basic needs. They can sustain their lives when everything is normal. However, life is not always stable, not for them or anyone in the world. If something unexpected happens, such as sudden illness, an accident, or theft, their lives quickly become unstable.
Also, I observed the slum through the lens of sanitation and hygiene, and I’ll briefly share some key points:
Public Toilets:
There are public toilets in the slum. While many people use them, some avoid them due to improper cleaning. When toilets are not cleaned regularly, it discourages others from using them, creating a cycle of neglect. Additionally, houses located near these toilets suffer from the bad smell caused by the lack of cleanliness.
Drainage Facilities:
The slum has a drainage system, but it is insufficient for the area’s needs. Residents mentioned that during the rainy season, the area faces severe waterlogging. Although the drainage infrastructure is functional, people frequently dispose waste in the drains, blocking them and preventing proper water flow. This leads to waterlogging during heavy rains.
Waste Disposal:
The waste disposal system in the slum is extremely poor. Residents often throw waste on the roads, into ponds, drains, or in designated dumping areas. This behavior results in blocked roads, filled-up drains and rivers, and bad smells around the dumping zones. The improper disposal of waste not only affects the environment but also worsens the overall living conditions.
Road Condition:
The road conditions in the slum are generally good. However, people throwing waste onto the roads creates problems like bad smells and traffic congestion. This careless behavior negatively impacts the environment and the quality of life in the area.
In my opinion, the most critical need for this slum is improving social awareness, social capital, and strategic thinking capacity among its residents. By addressing these issues, the slum can be transformed into a community for everyone.
Note: All images used here are captured by me.
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