As part of Channel 4’s “Indian Winter” season, The “Secret Millionaire” show featured millionaire dentist Seema Sharma. She bids farewell to her luxury lifestyle to visit Mumbai, undercover; swapping her two million pound home in South East London, where she lives with her Cardiologist husband and two daughters, for a modest apartment in Dharavi (India’s lagest slum). According to Channel 4, ‘Seema is worth in the region of five million pounds.’
She then helps various organisations, in order to hopefully stumble across deserving individuals or charities. Seema has never experienced this side of India, being a thoroughly British Indian, her perception has been clouded by colourful Bollywood movies and five star holidays.
In Mumbai, the financial capital of India, half of the thirteen million residents live in slums or on the streets. Almost all working and contributing to the economy, yet receiving almost nothing in return; in Dharavi, more than one million people are crammed into one square mile, with families of 5 or more often living in one small room.
During her stay, Seema volunteers with a mobile school for slum children, a toy donation charity, a children’s crèche, and she also assists the rag pickers and meets inspiring individuals.
Trying to decide how to give away her money in a responsible and effective way, Seema is confronted by insurmountable dilemmas. On the final day of her stay, Seema reveals her identity to the people she has chosen, surprising them with gifts worth tens of thousands of pounds.
The programme can be caught up on channel4.com/watchonline
Sameer Jethwa GKT
