Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Delhi slum where Mahatma Gandhi stayed gets a makeover, awaits PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Diwali has arrived early for the residents of Valmiki Sadan in central Delhi. The residents of this colony, where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed in a hutment, say their houses have been painted afresh ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and hundreds of municipal workers and political activists are working to ensure the streets look clean.

The PM is scheduled to visit the Valmiki Temple in the neighbourhood on Thursday, but sources say he may also visit the residents, hence the cleanliness drive.

"Usually, NDMC paints the flats every two years before Diwali. But this time, it has been done in advance. Not just that, the officials allowed us to get balconies and doors painted in colours of our choice. We only had to buy some paint," said Badami Devi, one of the residents. There are 321 flats in the colony for Safai Karmcharis and other Group D employees of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).

"In the 1940s, when Gandhi visited this place, this was a slum where our forefathers lived. He lived in the temple premises for a few days. After Independence, several PMs, including Jawaharlal Nehru, also visited this place," said Nitin Mandotia, who lives in a small hutment in the locality. An eco-friendly toilet has also been built in the area.

But many locals are skeptical about high-profile visits. "Arvind Kejriwal started his Jhadu Yatra last year from this colony. He chose jhadu (broom) as his party's election symbol," said Babloo Singh, a safai Karmchari with the NDMC, adding, "We would like to request our new PM to do something for the education of our children and reservation in private jobs".

Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti, which falls on October 8, is among the most important days for this community. "The temple remains neglected mostly but today it is shining thanks to Modi's visit. We wonder whether the authorities will help us maintain it in the future," said Vikas Rajput, a resident.