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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: August 28: The auto sped into a narrow gully in Vashi, Kopri Gaon to enter what is known as ‘hijron ka ilaka’. There is nothing about the place that enchants you but the filth and familiarity with such dirty narrow lanes makes you feel that you did it wrong by coming here. A fat old eunuch sits at the entrance looking at the world around him cynically. She fervently disallows us to take a snap. “Many reporters came here yesterday and they only agonized us. Nobody dropped us a single penny. Look at our condition. We can’t even celebrate the annual Ganesh Chaturthi with style!” Shanta Bai Poojari who is lovingly called ‘Dadi’ by their community snaps. Nevertheless, we continue clicking pictures before posting in a few queries.

“I don’t want to answer any questions. The local corporators do us no good. We don’t have a source of income. Only I know how difficult survival is. So many people come here to see how our mandal looks like but no one gives us a single penny. It’s with so much difficulty that we have been able to gather money for a mandal this year,” she retorts and goes inside her room.

It was about time that we left but a young and optimistic Sunita, one amongst their clan emerges. Ask her what is the cause of Shanta Bai’s attitude and she replies calmly, “Earlier around forty five to fifty people stayed here. But gradually for their personal reasons they dispersed and now they reside at various other places. Now only about ten are remaining. As a result their contributions towards such events is nil. Even ‘dadi’ doesn’t get anything out of it.”

So, what are the activities they indulge in during this week-long revelry? “This is our fortieth year. We have been installing a Ganpati Mandal every year since 1966. We have an elaborate naach (dancing) session in the night. All these gaonwalas come to celebrate with us. We all enjoy a lot. This is a ritual and we indulge in it after the evening prayers on all the days.”

Swati Pandey