Asia 's largest slum Dharavi is set to leverage its own potential to bring about a sea cange in its fortune and in turn, enrich its standard of living.

       Three leading institutes have joined hands with the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) of Mumbai to change the face of Dharavi in five years by developing and promoting its own resources — the slum's three thriving cottage industries of leather, garments and pottery. And leading retail chains have already begun showing interest.

       The institutes, Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID), Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai, and the Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), Delhi , have come up with a three-step proposal to provide sustainable economic development to Dharavi's dwellers.
       Beginning with leather, the institutes have an elaborate plan — from studies to map skills and analysis to gauge gaps in technology and design to creating an international market for leather products through a 'Dharavi Leather Gram'.

       "We chose the leather industry as there are as many as 567 leather units in Dharavi and it will be easier to make a beginning by working in an area they are used to. It can be a test case for our work on garment and pottery," says NID executive director Darlie O'Koshy.

       The first stage of the plan comprises a scientific survey of the leather units to map the skills, technology, processes and productivity levels of these workers. Based on this status report, a technology, design and market linkage audit will be carried out. The audit will study the kind of technology and designs which need to be adopted by these workers. It will also identify the market links that will support them.
 
       In the third stage, leading exporters of leather products as well as domestic marketers will be asked to establish the gap analysis in skills, technology and processes so that they are able to support the livelihood of these workers.
"They will identify what is missing in a particular product manufactured by Dharavi workers in order to match their standards," says Koshy. The onus of bridging this gap will lie on the three institutes. 

      This will be followed by the establishment of a 'Dharavi Leather Gram', which will house both factories and the new dwellings of these workers, given to them free of cost.   

       "Our aim is to market Dharavi Leather Gram as an international export destination," he adds. While NID will take care of the design needs, CLRI will look after the technology aspect and FDDI will be responsible for product expertise.
"The plan will be submitted to SRA soon for their approval while a preliminary presentation has been made," says FDDI managing director Alok Sinha.