Zaina Shahid Khan & Maryam Hassan
During this Ramadan, neighborhoods like Zakir Nagar and Shaheen Bagh were vibrant with crowded markets, brimming with sweets, dates, and kebabs. Likewise, in Old Delhi, Jama Masjid and its surroundings became hubs for distributing Iftar meals to people from all walks of life.
Yet, just a few streets away from the lively roads of Shaheen Bagh and Zakir Nagar, hunger and deprivation persist in the shadows. The nearby slums of Shram Vihar provide a stark contrast, turning Ramadan into a season of hardship, reserved only for those who can afford it.
Shram Vihar, an informal settlement in South Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh area, is home to refugees and daily-wage laborers. For the residents of Shram Vihar, Ramadan is not a time of celebration and reflection; instead, it extends the hunger that remains even after the call to Maghrib (evening prayer).
Khushboo, a mother of four who has lived in Shram Vihar for 15 years, shares, “We do not have anything special to break our fasts with. While I cannot fast myself due to health issues, my little girls persist in their fasting spirits along with their father. They usually eat fruits at Iftar.”
When asked about receiving food from NGOs, she says, “A few days ago, my husband helped unload food from an NGO vehicle, but it was meant for another group. They didn’t even give him anything in exchange for his effort.”
Another resident expresses a similar sentiment: “We’ve stopped expecting help, even in this month of charity. I cannot fast due to severe abdominal issues. I’m here before you after spending twenty to thirty thousand on medical expenses.”
Murtuza, a local fruit vendor from nearby Shaheen Bagh, shares how his family’s Iftar, dinner, and Sehri meals usually consist of leftover fruits. “Forget about foreign aid, we don’t even have Iftar meals available at our mosques.” This revelation was shocking, considering that many local mosques typically organize Iftar meals. Murtuza confirmed that none of the three mosques in Shram Vihar receive donations or contributions for such purposes.
Tanweer, a key member of Shram Vihar’s Resident Welfare Association, previously coordinated aid distribution with NGOs. She explains, “There used to be a structured system in place, ensuring equitable access to resources during Ramadan, thanks to collaborations with NGOs. But after the changes to the FCRA in 2020, many NGOs reduced their operations.” The changes in the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) have imposed stricter scrutiny on sub-granting foreign funds to small and local NGOs, leading to a reduction in their ability to provide help.
Today, Tanweer helps facilitate aid when local leaders are approached directly. She notes that the process has become more informal and selective, with no active effort by authorities to identify those in need. To cope, she emphasizes self-reliance: “Ab jo jitna kamata hai, wo khaata hai” (“Whoever earns, eats”). With no formal system in place, residents are left to navigate hunger either through local leaders or their limited earnings.
Though immediate relief is lacking, some NGOs in the area are focusing on long-term solutions. Azeemuddin, head of the most active NGO in the area, recounts how their team used to provide food for over 1,500 people during the lockdown. “But over time, we realized that relying on direct aid wasn’t sustainable. A group of women from the community approached us, asking to learn skills for financial independence. That’s when we decided to shift our approach.”
This shift was significant, Azeemuddin explains: “While the community was in dire need of help during the lockdown, we soon realized that we needed to empower people to earn their own livelihood. We started focusing on education rather than just food aid.” Today, their NGO runs skill development centers in Shram Vihar, offering courses in stitching, weaving, and more, primarily for women. They also organize periodic awareness sessions for the residents.
“We encouraged other NGOs active in the area to adopt similar models. The focus shifted from distributing ready-made food to providing ration kits and supporting people in securing jobs or financial aid for rent,” Azeemuddin shares.
Despite these long-term solutions, the immediate issue of hunger remains unresolved for many, including Khushboo and Murtuza. “This Ramadan, we managed to arrange a collective Iftar only two or three times, and it was for a limited number of families,” Azeemuddin reveals. He also points out that other pressing issues in Shram Vihar include malnutrition among children and rampant domestic violence.
The disparity in Ramadan experiences across Delhi reflects a broader socio-economic divide. Charity, a central tenet of Ramadan, remains largely seasonal and fails to reach those most in need in Shram Vihar, despite the proximity to affluent neighborhoods like Shaheen Bagh and Batla House. With formal aid declining and no structured relief system in place, residents primarily rely on fragmented efforts by NGOs and local leaders rather than comprehensive solutions.
