Community Revitalization

Katha’s community action addresses the community in the Govindpuri slum cluster in South Delhi. Made up largely of migrants with an agrarian background, low literacy levels and working as daily wage earners, the households mostly have no fixed incomes. The area is an unplanned cluster that sprung and grew spontaneously, with no civic infrastructure in place. Petty traders operate from shacks that are scattered arbitrarily, there is no regular supply of electricity or water and the area festers under a total breakdown of sanitation. This is a typical example of the urban phenomenon of slum clusters, surrounded by areas of high investment and industrial growth.

Katha has been working in this area for over 15 years, implementing a community development programme and education for children that looks not just at their economic necessities but a more comprehensive and holistic social development. Over the years, we have developed a relationship of trust and understanding with the members of this community and they are ready to look at alternatives for improving their living conditions which are presented by us.

Uncommon Creativities for a Common Good is Katha's pledge for the next five years. It is aimed at strengthening linkages between civil society organisations and individuals like media, academics, social workers and writers for urban renewal that is inclusive and not exclusive.

The programme therefore builds broad-based networks encompassing the actual players in the action - communities, representatives of the non-governmental sector and policy makers who will give direction to poverty issues under a new regime.

The action is not merely limited to research and deliberations, but also in-situ application of a pre-defined set of initiatives and a micro study that will help us actuate a policy paper based on ground level issues and ground level experiences, which can lead to further progressive actions in socio-economic transformation.