DIR in India
The Janta Colony Project, Chandigarh
In a crowded slum where 8996 people live in 2,047 tiny homes, located just outside Chandigarh, capital of the Punjab, DIR has a project being implemented by the residents. This "bustee" is called Janta Colony.
Photo tour
All shots are taken in Janta Colony, a slum of 8,986 people in Punjab, near to Chandigarh; DIR works throughout the slum, visiting every house at least once a month.
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One of the many families living in this bustee
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Here we have a "nullah" (in this case an open sewer) that we are trying to get the government to put underground
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We also had a large open rubbish dump, which we have now, in a community effort which typifies DIR's approach, successfully reclaimed. The field is now a recreation area, where cricket and volley ball are played.
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In April 2007 the Board of Directors of DIR held its AGM in Chandigarh and spent much time in Janta Colony becoming familiar with DIR's activities first hand
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This is an abandoned building, in ruin. DIR wants to get permission to demolish
it and build in its stead a three-storey model building. The ground floor will
be a clinic and administrative offices, the next floor a first class school for
local children - many of whom do not attend school - the top floor will be a rec
room and gym for youth who have no place to go, and a computer education
centre.
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Some kids in the bustee
The CEO of DIR, Dr. Frederick Shaw, at right visiting with Janta Colony residents
One of the many streets that wind through the bustee
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