If it isn’t one thing, it’s another for the tiny tikes of the blockbuster, Slumdog Millionaire. Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, 11, and Rubina Ali, 10 are now at risk of losing their monthly stipend from their trust because of excessive absences from school. According to Mumbai AP, Azhar is only showing up at school 37 percent of the time, and Rubina has only a 27 percent attendance rate at her school, according to a trustee.

The film’s director Danny Boyle established the Jai Ho trust to provide an education, living allowance and housing for the Azhr and Rubina.  The trust provided the necessary funds to take the kids out of the slums and put them along with their family in adequate housing.

There is a discrepancy over the cause of the truancy. The administer of the trust, Noshir Dadrawala says the children are traveling and making appearances in such places like Paris and going during the week which is interfering with the school schedule. But the parents beg to differ and said the kids missed school because of family deaths and other issues.

The monthly stipend at risk is equivalent to $120 U.S. dollars. Additionally, if the kids fail out of school and do not graduate, they lose a lump sum of money set aside  by the filmmakers. In order for the children to maintain their stipend, they have to get their attendance above 70%.

This is a really sad “rag to riches” story. I believe the children are missing school to travel, make public appearances while collecting “appearance fees.” Imagine going from living below the poverty line to becoming middle class knowing that if you take your child to a couple of events that you could make enough money to provide a better life for you and your family. I understand and empathize with the parents, many of whom never had a proper education themselves. Education may not have a high value for them, thus, they do not see the risk of taking the kids out of school.

What saddens me the most is how ugly  the world must look in the eyes of Azhr and Rubina. To have greed, money, celebrity placed on your little soul, family members selling you to the highest bidder all while living with the fear of the violence that comes from greed and jealousy from the people around them.

What a sad day it is indeed for our Little Mumbai pair. A sad day!

Forwomenonline.com