Slumdogs? The story Hollywood left behind

With the stars of Slumdog Millionaire about to touch down in Hollywood ahead of Oscar night, excitement surrounding the rags to riches tale, is at fever pitch.

Cinemas all over the globe have been filled with audiences gasping at its hard-hitting portrayal of India's underworld of brutal poverty ─ an India far removed from the modern call centres and computer companies.

The film, directed by Danny Boyle, tells the story of a boy from a Mumbai slum who beats the odds to win a TV game show. It won seven Baftas earlier this month and is tipped to scoop 10 awards at the Oscars on Sunday.

Set in the Indian city of Mumbai ─ the film tells the story of a young man, Jamal, whose life experiences growing up in one of Asia's largest shantytowns, Dharavi, with his brother Saleem, help him to win millions on the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

More than one million people live on almost two-square kilometres of land in Dharavi. Housing conditions are cramped and there is little or no sanitation.

But the grim picture in the film is just the tip of the iceberg.
One third of all the world's ultra poor are Indians, according to the BBC. Forty per cent of all malnourished children are Indian. Out of India's population, 76% live below $2 a day, compared with 73% in Sub-Saharan Africa. That is 800 million people living in abject poverty - in one country.

Slumdog’s success should be an inspiration in helping, said Percy Barnevik who runs a charity helping women shantytown dwellers in India. “It has surprised me greatly to see Indian poverty so largely neglected by the international aid community,” Mr Barnevik told the BBC. “When Gordon Brown, Bob Geldof or Bill Clinton talk world poverty, it is all Africa.

“It is true that Africa has desperate and unique problems.
But we must not push for Africa at the expense of India's poor. They are equally in need of help,” he said, urging that efforts to eradicate poverty must from now on include India, both in rhetoric and resources.

“When I watch the Oscars on Sunday, I will keep my fingers crossed for Slumdog Millionaire,” Mr Barnevik added. It has given face and voice to the poorest of India, whom I have learnt to love and respect.”

Written by Hayley Jarvis for SOS Children