In New Delhi [India], on March 22 (ANI), the usually vibrant alleys of Nizamuddin Basti seem unusually silent during this spring day. What was once mainly a collection of shantytowns at the center of India’s capital now features structures that loom larger than many landmarks around them. Past its unpaved pathways and dimly lit streets, the Nizamuddin horizon showcases domes adorned with twinkling lights for Ramadan, set against a verdant landscape.
“I have been born and raised here, surrounded by these landmarks,” explains Shumayila, a 25-year-old history aficionado who often witnessed white marble structures and intricate stone carvings throughout her youth.
"From my home’s terrace, I could see them." As a child aged three or four, she was captivated by the magnificent tombs of Nizamuddin. By the time she turned 10, she came to understand that residing amidst such tombs wasn’t ordinary—she realized that Nizamuddin held a unique significance!
"History has always been my passion. During my formative years, I enjoyed delving into historical explorations. We used to play hide-and-seek inside those ancient tombs. While many monuments here are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, some can be accessed without purchasing tickets," explained Shumayila.
Shumayila, who graduated from Maitri College, has earned her Master's degree in History from Lady Sri Ram College.
The graduate of Delhi University now serves as a tour guide in the Nizamuddin heritage zone with plans to revisit academia.
Although Shumayila gazes at the stars with wonder, 43-year-old Seema Ali managed to reach a position where she could allow her daughters to embrace life with unbridled freedom.
"The society was far more conservative previously; that has change "Things have changed considerably now," remarks Seema, mentioning that girls weren’t permitted to go outside at all during her youth. "However, nowadays we do," she adds, noting that children are familiar with their neighborhood and often have responsibilities to attend to.
"Being the change Seema's path to today’s liberty and self-assurance has been fraught with challenges. Upon deciding to venture out and seek employment, her aspirations faced resistance.
Seema gained her husband's backing solely after her income between Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000 per month persuaded him that her efforts were worthwhile.
"He does not like the idea of women leaving the house for work. However, my spouse believed that we would be secure and close enough to home. So now, he drives me to locations such as fairs and exhibits, even when they are distant. As a token of appreciation, I bought him a scooter using my income," she declared confidently.
Seema serves as an artisan, dedicating herself primarily to crafting and marketing crocheted items. This skill has been passed down through generations, yet for her, much like for numerous women before her, it remained a domestic pursuit. Today, however, Seema plays a vital role within a cooperative group.
It takes her an hour to crochet one flower using cotton thread. Occasionally, she brings her work back home. She receives the materials needed, and she gets compensated for crafting these items.
Seema doesn’t consider this a traditional job per se, yet she finds satisfaction in her productive activities. She ensures she dedicates appropriate care to both her household and loved ones, fulfilling her responsibilities as a wife and mother without allowing others to criticize her for venturing outside the domestic sphere.
This shift away from traditional domestic roles for women is evident in Seems's household:
Before, I relied on my husband’s earnings,” she explained, but now she plays an active role in financially supporting their home. Displaying a cherished item, she added joyfully, “I treated myself to this too,” as she unveiled her gold earrings purchased exactly a year since she began working.
Seema has spent more than ten years with Isha-e-noor, a program affiliated with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC). This organization focuses on offering improved and respectful work options to participating women via skill development in crafts. Additionally, AKTC operates a self-help group called Sair-e-Nizamuddin, enrolling local young people to provide them with job opportunities.
Ranta Sahni, the Programme Officer at AKTC, informed ANI that back in 2009, a baseline survey conducted in Nizamuddin Basti showed that merely nine percent of women participated in work outside their residences, primarily taking up roles as domestic helpers in adjacent areas.
"She mentioned that there’s insufficient educational support, yet the community has a strong inclination toward manual work—skills they’ve traditionally honed." This opened up possibilities for providing them with opportunities to earn a respectable living.
Sahni mentioned that a small number of upcoming women were instrumental in encouraging others to join as well." The primary motivation for these individuals to stay involved was the opportunity to earn income and contribute to their households. As-Sahni added, "This way, they didn’t need to rely on anyone else financially to provide a better future for their children.
The Dignity of Labor within This Stratum society Where women are nearly illiterate and have been socially conditioned over generations to think that their existence revolves solely around the household and family, what does empowerment signify for them? It implies having sufficient financial resources and not relying on familial support while maintaining harmony at home; it’s about the freedom to explore different places, with the necessary tools and chances afforded to achieve this,” Sahni stated.
For 32-year-old Saiba, this sense of empowerment has enabled her to cover the cost of her daughter's education at a private school over the last five years.
She mentioned, 'If not for this income opportunity, I couldn’t have envisioned enrolling my child in a private school.'
A mother of three earns between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 monthly during the high season. In addition to cooking, managing accounts, and overseeing order preparations, Saiba plays a crucial role in organizing catered events across various venues in Delhi and other prominent cities.
Zaika-e-Nizamuddin, yet another flourishing project led by AKTC, is a women-led business focusing on the distinctive dishes from Nizamuddin’s 700-year-old gastronomic tradition as well as nutritious home-cooked treats.
From leveraging her culinary talents at Zaika-e-Nizamuddin’s kitchen to expanding her involvement in an entrepreneurial venture, she faced the expected challenges along her path.
Saiba mentions that the initial concern was raised by a close family member who questioned her prolonged absences from home, stating that "the modest earnings" were not worth her extended time away.
At first, the community focused on crafting nutritious snacks at home to combat child malnutrition within the Basti area. Later, they were motivated to extend their initiative by using the Zaika-e-Nizamuddin kitchen to produce these snacks for local sales. Nonetheless, this business venture didn’t prove lucrative enough to persuade women to stay away from their households for extended periods; the profits were disappointingly low.
Saika's middle-aged mother-in-law had significant concerns and was displeased that her daughter-in-law was only making around Rs 600-700 per month back in 2012. Despite this, she made minimal contributions to handling domestic chores.
However, Saiba, similar to the other women in the group, was determined not to surrender. As time went on, profits slowly began climbing upwards; their catering venture gained traction and led them to be invited to upscale hotels. There, they had the opportunity to learn directly from renowned chefs.
For the ladies in this kitchen, there is no turning back. The families' hesitation has transformed into approval.
Balancing her professional duties alongside family life, Saiba manages to spend quality time with her children each day, making use of the moments between her work shifts and household tasks. When asked what motivates her, she replied, "It’s the joy of cooking and my sense of responsibility."
A Supporting Hand Ratish Nanda, CEO of AKTC, explained to ANI how their organization facilitated the socioeconomic betterment of the women living in Nizamuddin Basti and played a role in conserving historical landmarks. "The Indian government gave us the option to choose from fifty locations across the country; our team at AKTC decided to revisit Humayun’s Tomb—having previously restored the gardens around the tomb,” he stated. “During this initiative in Nizamuddin, I believe we conducted more than 5,000 discussions with various community groups throughout the course of the project to grasp their requirements and ambitions.”
Additionally, every five years, we conduct baseline surveys to assess the impact of our programs, and I can confirm that 99 percent of the residents have been direct beneficiaries,” he added.
"Nanda further stated that we remain engaged and have pursued renewal of agreements with MCD concerning educational and sanitation initiatives. He mentioned that numerous programs have attained self-sustainability, while others met their goals, leading us to conclude certain specific projects," Nanda informed ANI.
If additional organizations want to collaborate with communities toward a comparable objective, what steps should they take? Does governmental backing remain crucial?
"Importantly, institutions must recognize that there is no quick fix — cultivating community trust and grasping community requirements can demand thousands of hours of discussions and span several months, possibly even years," Nanda stated.
Nanda explained that an interdisciplinary team has been crucial to their achievements, stating: "Collaboration with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Archaeological Survey of India allows us to carry out infrastructure projects." These initiatives encompass the preservation of historical sites, thereby assisting local inhabitants in enhancing their quality of life.
In the vast kitchen of Ziaka-e-Nizamuddin, the Maghreb call to prayer echoes; Saiba oversees her coworker as they prepare kababs for an order. Meanwhile, another woman performs her prayers. It is now time for iftar, so all the ladies must leave soon to return to their families.
"Is this not too much effort right now?" asks Saiba as she hurries back home. "While I set something on the stove and take a moment for prayer, my son probably sliced some fruit." (ANI)
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