The Dharavi Model : How Asia’s Largest Slum Defeated COVID-19

by Kiran Dighavkar

A riveting account of how the deadly Coronavirus was contained in Asia’s largest slum. An explosion that could have pushed not just Mumbai but all of India on the back foot was nipped in the bud with no manual to handle such a travesty. Kiran Dighavkar’s The Dharavi Model is a thrilling chronicle of the measures that were taken to prevent the spread of  Covid-19 in Dharavi. They helped save many lives. It is also the tales of those who lost their lives fighting the battle against COVID-19. The model applauded and implemented at a global level is passionately penned as a book.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 24, 2021

Reviews

[Bhavesh Jodhwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

The NGOs along with the government worked together for fighting with covid. Dharavi is indeed a big area with huge number of people but the way Government took care during covid which is being foretold in this book is mind-blowing. While reading this book it was like as if I was reading a thriller story. Indeed the way the maha government has fought for the entire state, mumbai and it's biggest areas is no less than a thriller. But the outcome whatever it was atleast the government and all the people who worked together, who lost their life in their battle have their best shot. Indeed they were the warriors. Hats off to the writer for showing us the truth. That exactly what and and how things took place and were handled.

[Bibliomane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharavi. A strong connection lies in this place.
I've got my blood-related ancestors cum members of the family growing up from the dust and dawn of Dharavi. To see Dharavi dispersing its existence when the virus took its turn and made a very harsh impact, I could feel how my family went through mental stress.
Recently, I read a book on Giving Rise to Dharavi and such is the connection so strong with this very name Dharavi. Author Kiran has shown outstanding performance as the genre and theme made available in this book, isn't regular while everyone else is mostly dedicated to writing fiction and fantasy-based books.
This one's a true must-read it

[Silky Agarwalla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book depicts as Dharavi was a cause of global concern due to its population alone. However, authorities managed to slow down the spread of new cases in the slum area, with a number of proactive steps taken as soon as the disease began to spread in the area. Preventive measures like social distancing and lockdowns cannot be easily implemented in a place like Dharavi, as people live in close quarters. To tackle the crisis BMC set up teams to reach out to families door to door. These teams reached out to almost seven lakh people in Dharavi. The BMC also ran fever clinics to allow people to get themselves checked. They also checked people’s oxygen saturation levels if it was below 95 per cent, they were taken to quarantine centres where they were looked after.This was much faster than testing, and in any case it was not possible to test everyone. The BMC also employed 350 local private practitioners with whom patients had a certain level of comfort. If someone was found to have symptoms, they could volunteer to be quarantined even without getting tested. Local clubs and schools were converted into quarantine facilities where free food and health checkups were provided throughout the day. The book depicts in details how step by step things were done and how everyone worked together. I’ll give 4.9 out of 5 to this book from my end.

[Koomal · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Satya Keerthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book would rather had been, ‘Dharavi Model, A success Project’. This book will clearly tell you how despite being poor, weak, helpless and powerless Dharavi fought and succeeded in winning the battle against the dangerous coronavirus pandemic. Screening, containment, and mitigation strategies were effectively considered in Dharavi and thereby Dharavi achieved a massive success in crushing the virus spread. Enforcing a strict lockdown and blocking the movement of residents except for essential services, have helped greatly in controlling the virus spread. MCGM ensured proper sanitation of the streets of Dharavi frequently. The launch of intense screening and sanitation drive had a great impact in flattening the curves. The Maharashtra government took special care on Dharavi’s heel from the virus because there was a great chance of quick spread in that area. All the detailed part I don’t think anything had been exaggerated but in some parts like the death parts of the heroes who I believe were no less than war heroes could have been more highlighted. Its an absolute 4.5 out 5 for reading as per me.

[Manasi Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frontline workers have all invited a phase of positivity in lives of many who survived the covid attack. Rating this book is a feeling truly mesmerising as the read was a magnificent one. It was indeed a journey I made while reading this book all night long although that passed soon the way the pace of the book was set, a well set one.
I've recently finished reading it and the parts of the book which I re-read were all of the same special worthy to be remembered parts like one finds memorable parts in life. I must say how this Book is a milestone in itself, in the bookshelf of the author.
The book delivers a soothing as well as a heavy ride where thorns appear close enough in form of words and the twists in the process of eradication of covid. I liked the twists in these book which emerge all of a sudden. Author has worked the way same as the work was projected through the title. Author is perfect at this, this book shows that. Overall performance of the book is equivalent to a book which turns into a major blockbuster movie.

[Dhara Popat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unity

One thing that was mentioned in page 81 is very true. The thing about mental health. When covid affected the mental health was affected too. It was great to know that yes people who were trying to keep us safe worried about our mental health as well. Dharavi, provided me a details insight about what was going on inside. I was in awe while reading it because I remember everyone being so terrified about this disease. The writer with this book has not only showed us the reality of how much the people having upper hand had done but has also provided an assurance that they are truly there to save us from this virus.
The containment zone in Dharavi was the most complicated one according to me as it is a big area yet the government did all they could.
All the chapters in the book comes with a new surprise. I can bet any reader of any genre won't get bored but would be glad to read it. I would ask all of my readers to read it atleast once.

[Pankhi Sarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instead of talking, one has to put in efforts to bring up a change in things which have been happening in the wrong way. We've all been well versed with how politics have played a positive as well as a negative role in Indian history and during the period of this crucial pandemic, I've seen how things have slipped from the hands of the officials. This book will reveal way too many facts one has been unaware or has been unheard about. The concept used is quite good and so is the narration made in simple terms by the author.
To talk on something which is a matter of conflict at the same time, it's difficult but there are a few who choose to speak up and author is I guess one of them. With a detailed narration, this book has managed to keep me engaged until the very end and kind of made me understand a few important things about the nation which I've been unaware about. A good read with a helpful concept.

[Aman Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book has its own kind of motive to deliver. The reason behind picking up this book is the book cover and the title which directly speaks about the plot.

It is very unique, based on reality and grabbed my attention.


The author was new to me but still, I thought to give it a try and I am glad that I gave it a try.
When we see book cover and Title we cook our own story on how an army would have been deployed to keep everyone away from each other but it's way more different than our imagination. More like a work of research than a work of explanation.

I really didn't expect these twists and turns took place in Dharavi all this while when covid started spreading up hard which the author has explained now.
I liked the way how author narrated the story so that he can hold the attention of readers.

But at some points of the narration, I really felt uncomfortable reading it.

[Dr. Monidipa Dutta]

Dharavi model title is itself enough to make one get a hint on the way the reasearch would have been conducted. The way author has poured in his quality research and showcased his work is quite impressive. This book brings out vital information and explains almost everything in a detailed manner. The book is sheds direct light on how things went haywire in the pandemic period and how things made a demand for the people to stay locked up inside the walls instead of crawling over the streets while the virus was high all over. Dharavi is known to be one of the biggest slum in the Asian territory. I liked the manner in which every aspect was lined up with illustration from news articles and magazines. Everyone held a different plan in the government but the one which was actually used to push away the covid from the Dharavi's land and it's orbit is worth learning about from this book which declares an engaging writing style and an apt appearance.

[Dharmendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I related to this book quite a lot. I took up different paths in my junior year and ignored my interest but somehow, being connected to medical has always brought me solace. I'm close to being a person who learns every other thing and I know how during the stage of pandemic, the frontline workers and servers who are considered as a doctor, found it rarely to sleep at nights with peace.

This book is power-packed with inspiring energy, a vibe totally strong gives rise to excitement of knowing how things took place, and a lot of detailing. The author’s research on this theme is commendable and the way he interrelated it in the book. The twist of stages and plans keep you hooked with the read.

Other than that, the narration was great, language was lucid and easy to understand. Performance of the book is quite good to be read and quite interesting as well. A worthy enough read.

[Oindrila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few concepts at times makes one reveal hundreds of facts on things one never actually came across. While the nation has still been shivering and suffering from this deadly spread of virus, we have all been aware of how the containment of virus in a particular zone was next to impossible. Dharavi has been Asia's one of the real and biggest slum where this virus took up the acceleration and made its existence available in every alternate home. While people were horrified on one end, how did one manage to build up a team of humans to fight against this invisible enemy?
The book's a serious read with engaging facts about the fight mentioned. It's not a lengthy one but it does take a while longer as the speed of narration lacks speed at times in the partial sections of the book. The book is worth the read in my view and such work is way too much commendable.

[Sumair · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was more of an emotional ride to me.
After losing my close mates from my batch who had been a part of my life for over seven years now, the damage I found in my heart and in my life is completely irreversible but the damage can be covered by completely ending the spread of this disease. I personally have researched on Dharavi and how the escape plan was made and to my expectations and surprise, the author is a few more steps ahead of me in evaluating and showcasing the facts about the journey the nation took.
The fight against this battle hasn't been a simple one and nor is the struggle to write up this entire read. A complete blueprint is what I would say in terms of how a step towards betterment brought a huge improvement towards success stage.
Well made narration and well maintained pace of the book makes this book a completely heartthrob read.

[Black Note · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an organization that primarily worked on issues of health and nutrition especially among vulnerable women and children in urban informal settlements, it was imperative to engage in, coordinate, and implement food relief efforts. Both, the pandemic and the strictly-imposed lockdown, created a crisis situation in densely packed urban informal communities. Furthermore, in informal settlements like Dharavi, public health officials faced other challenges like demarcating containment zones as part of the MCGM’s overall crisis management strategy. In such a public health crisis, proper nutrition is even more vital. A well-balanced diet contributes to a healthier and stronger immune system, as well as lowers risk of contracting infectious diseases. The steps taken were good however, if the entire team wouldn’t have worked together, I believe we wouldn’t have been reading this book.

[Aspirant__ifs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was recommended this book by someone, I thought it will be some work of fiction but I was stunned when I saw how true the events were that were mentioned in the book. From the first case of covid about the girl who came back from Wuhan till whatever is being done is based on every true fact. So many Health workers lost their lives fighting this virus. Many insidious updates were there that how the government has protected us. Reading this book has changed my views about our Indian govt. Everyone had worked together so hard to keep us safe and we were callous yet busy criticizing the government. Be it maharashtra, be it delhi, be it kolkata, whichever state one thing is clear now that everyone tried too hard to keep us safe. One must read this book to understand what we had gone through and how much protected we are.
.
𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠!!!

[Harini Bharati. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharavi the model is a must read for everyone. This book unfolds right from the beginning about Mumbai's biggest slum Dharavi. Obviously if it is a big area that means it has a large no of life ar risk. The book shows how the government had taken measured steps in ordered to protect people during this pandemic. Although they weren't 100% successful but they tried their best. Proper zones were alloted, hospitals, health workers, NGOs everyone worked together to save people. Not only physically but mentally too. The book points out one main thing which everyone might have missed out. Public was terrified but the Government was way more terrified than them, they did their best they could to protect their people. The pictures in the book were most interesting for me as they were for real and it showed how hardworking people had been.

[Tanmeen Kaur AS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Kiran Dighavkar in this book has given a real insight of our country ever since Covid 19 has started affecting us. Although heart wrenching but facts remain facts don't they? This book tells us about the measures that were taken by maharashtra govt, Indian Govt when covid started spreading. From its very 1st case every single case, every measure by govt is mentioned in clear details. He had showed us via this book and the pictures he had added in the book about the possibility and measures. What all steps were taken to protect us. I guess this is my 1st time reading such a realistic book apart from the history books in my school.
I recommended it to my dad as well who I'm sure is going to love it.

[Nandani Mehta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharavi wasn't defeated. People were terrified of viral diseases. The book Dharavi model is the proof how hard the govt has worked to improvise, to protect people. So many ICUs, hospitals etc were set up. So many health workers lost their lives.
So much pain, so many hardships to protect to save people were done. I hail from Borivali, and I myself had seen situations when last year my sister in law was admitted in ICU.
What I liked the most about this was that how detailed it is about all the measures that had been taken. But not all can fight an win. I will rate it as 5 star because if you read it, you will get a clear insight of how the things had been.
Kudos to the writer for writing it so amazingly.

[Snehasis Dutta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running over the streets and crawling over the feet in order to somehow reach a safe place is kinda difficult thing for the homeless people over the streets and when this covid hit hard, things turned even more worse for them where they could find no things to feed their empty stomach. The motive behind the narration made in this book and the way the hidden facts have been unveiled are all quite acceptable and convincing. The research made by the author appears to be fantastic and difficult one as there are many of the facts which I've been completely unaware of. There are mostly all of them the believable and also the unbelievable facts about the countries who contributed in this fight and the ones who didn't. A perfect choice to be read.

[Dipa · Rating 4 out of 5]

- “DHARAVI MODEL": written by KIRAN Dighavkar.
Analysis and interpretation of the exact count of cases has been messed up since a few months now since the vaccination has started. While this book speaks of how the control was implied to stop the flow of virus outside of Dharavi which is a slum known to be one of the biggest in the country and in entire Asian territory, there were a few conceptions that the flow of virus has been

- The story revolves around Dharavi, foreign affairs and talks on how to get Dharavi covid free. The protagonist is the entire government and the frontline workers mainly.
Articles are illustrated in between which makes the book even more lively.
Narration is apt and gripping.

[Sireesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mostly read about this book because I had read about the author Mr. Kiran Dighavkar in Bloomsberg. He was in charge of the project. Now as he was in charge no one could have written or explained it better than him. No doubt Dharavi is a place mostly for the migrants but yes, they are humans they getting terrified is completely understandable as well. People all over were. The steps that were taken were necessary. And everyone gave their 100%. However, I believe Mr. Dighavkar should not have added the picture, although they are of real situation but it was heartbreaking enough as well. The healthworkers who gave up their lives hats off to them and the doctors obviously who took care of the mental health part was truly recommendable.

[Deepshikha · Rating 5 out of 5]

From being a coronavirus hotspot to a successful containment model, Mumbai’s Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, has managed to flatten the curve. Dharavi containment success is an example of clinical management. In April, when the case count started rising in Dharavi, the authorities started aggressive testing, isolating, and quarantining potential cases. People were put under different Covid Care centers. Although it is much detailed in the book but as a medical student myself, I was shook to the core. Mostly, what I was shaken was with the part where the civic authorities started sanitising community toilets almost every hour. That’s what helped fight the Covid battle. It was a people’s fight and the description of deaths were a bit emotional as they were truly the hero.

[Akila Sankaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Dharavi Model has all the accounts listed about what all hardships was levied by the front line workers when the pandemic 1st started in 2021. Covid 19 also known as the virus which affected all too badly. But the front line workers had the most to do. The book describes in extreme details of who had done what. What all measures were taken and what procedures were followed. From all the decisions to all the deaths had been accounted too well.
Dharavi is a biggest slum so controlling the virus in this area must have been way too hard yet it was successfully done by all. Pace of the book is quite encouraging kind of and also the content jotted is rich enough. This book is based on real facts and it is a must read for all.

[Soundarya Tiwari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading a news headline where dharavi the biggest slum had flattened the covid 19 curve. After reading this book I realized one thing had it not been the precarious measures by the government, health workers and NGOs, it wouldn't have been possible. This book step by step describes what all has been done by the maha government for the people. Precautions, hospital set ups, regular check ups, everything has been mentioned very clearly in this book.
The writer himself being a part of it had seen it all and hats off to him for not giving up. The words are well chosen and a brilliant way of description. The pictures add emotions as well to it.
I would rate it 5 out of 5 because it might be heart wrenching for the writer to pen down even the hardest moments. Yet he had done it.

[Pages of Pandora · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with an introduction on the current situation on covid and what Dharavi is, in actual. With basic and vital information on Dharavi, the book starts with Chapter 1 which speaks on how the country is trying to tackle a few set of barriers like cancelling festivals in major terms like Holi, Diwali and much more belonging to different religions. The book starts on a basic way of narration of story and slowly picks up the pace by pulling in how things in Dharavi, will appear like a blast in the near future. With the mention of tweets made by US president Donald Trump on how the entire will support the drowning industries, the book focuses on the straight facts which were kind of unnoticed for long amidst the chaos.
The book is quite good to explore according to me.

[Priyansha Bhatia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to expect from this book if you ask me, I’ll tell you something beyond your imagination. The strong focus on community engagement and basics of testing, tracing, isolating and treating all those who were sick is the key in breaking the chain of transmission and suppressing the virus. MCGM took the challenge with a strong grip as without a better management thousand would have been affected and large number people killed. A series of innovative experiments were carried out that included bringing in private practitioners, isolating the vulnerable populations, getting larger quarantine facilities and taking over private hospitals for treatment to make the things turn around for the better.

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharavi Model is a must read for everyone as the book jas explicit details about measurements were taken to control covid in Dharavi which is supposedly a big slum and it captures a very large area. The officers, the front line workers, the doctors joined hands to save the people. Although Dharavi was not untouched from the disease but if hospitals and etc were not taken then I don't think anyone would have survived. The book is the successful outcome I will say. I won't say Dharavi defeated instead I will say after all the hard work Dharavi won. That was only because of everyone's hardwork. Not to forget the heroes who gave their life battling this virus. Extremely great book. This book is a journey of how everyone fought together and won.

[Tanya Vatsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dharavi model

What to expect from this book if you ask me, I’ll tell you something beyond your imagination. The strong focus on community engagement and basics of testing, tracing, isolating and treating all those who were sick is the key in breaking the chain of transmission and suppressing the virus. MCGM took the challenge with a strong grip as without a better management thousand would have been affected and large number people killed. A series of innovative experiments were carried out that included bringing in private practitioners, isolating the vulnerable populations, getting larger quarantine facilities and taking over private hospitals for treatment to make the things turn around for the bette

[Kottha Sree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was amazed by the pictures that was used in the books. I was just out of words. So many people, so much of hardship. Our Government has done so much for us during this pandemic. I lost my grandmother during pandemic inspired all precautions that were taken and while she was admitted in hospital I had seen how hardworking the doctors and nurses were. As I was reading this book every memory came back. People had always criticized maharashtra govt, Indian govt for not taking measures but only if they read this book they will understand, realize the steps that were taken to protect us. So many people lost their lives for protecting us. Everyone must read this book atleast once.

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected read.

On cloud nine could have been the country's government today if the virus would have completely vanished from the country. I liked the entire concept of the book right from the 3rd division of the book where the narration picks up the pace. The book is based on the fight taken up against the covid 19 virus but also shows how there had been an internal fight among people in order to keep covid away. I found the complete read to be more like a guide with every question answered. Author's research and high end use of different facts was totally unexpected and commendable. Good one