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History
Shri Uma Shankar Mishra is the founder of Dhobi Kalyan & Audhyogik Vikas Co-operative Society Limited (Regd.) He also happens to be the president of Mumbai Prant Dhobhi Mahamandal, Bombay province. Though the Mahalaxmi Dhobighat society was registered in 1994, the actual functioning of society began in 1999.
Mr. Uma Shankar Mishra was a social worker and though he was not a dhobi himself, he understood the problems of the dhobi community. He worked hard for four years so that all the 664 wash stone holders could become a member of the society. He made efforts to make them understand the importance of society and as a result of this, the first important meeting on 26/03/1999 was held by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The meeting was convened with seven members of BMC including the deputy Municipal Commissioner, head of the concerned department, and Mr. Uma Shankar Mishra with seven representatives from the Dhobi Community. In the said meeting the rate of wash stone was fixed at Rs 150/- per month with a 10% annual increase and it was proposed to transfer the land to the society by constructing a proper compound wall by demolishing unauthorized hutment holders by demolishing unauthorized huts on the clothes drying site. Many issues such as repairing the Bhatti area of Dhobi Ghat, repairing the toilet, removing encroachments on footpaths and roads, and giving shelter to dhobi people from thieves and goons were discussed and other issues were also taken up and since then the issues related to Dhobighat are placed by Dhobi Kalyan & Audhyogik Vikas Co-operative Society Limited. before the Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika.
Our Committee and Society
Our committee and society have seen both good and bad days and they say that it is the law of nature that good days do last long. Since Mahalaxmi Dhobighat is a famous place in Mumbai, many builder lobbies were keeping an eye on it, as unauthorized huts were increasing on the site for drying the clothes of the dhobi people. Due to such issues, a proposal was presented to build a residential tower on this land under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority. This scheme proposed selling of the drying area, houses, commercial gala, and shops in the tower in place of juggi jhopdi. In this regard, there was neither mention nor concrete steps to place to understand the drying area of the dhobis. The rope holder certificate prepared by the society was accepted and even the rate was fixed accordingly but some disgruntled sections compelled the dhobis to sell their piece of land at a lower price with the intention to earn a commission. When society asked for a reply in this regard, false cases were lodged against society. And an administrator was appointed for a period of five years on the alternative society.
What’s the condition today?
Now, in December 2021, there was a formal election of society and again I was recognized as the president, but in the last five years many members of the society have passed away, and some have transferred their wash stones to other names, it is a very difficult task for society to bring back all these washermen together. In the past, since society is not functioning, the social workers, the disgruntled class, and the broker lobby were active. Thus, in order to control the same work is in progress and some success is also being achieved.
History
Since last 50 years, the dhobighat in South Mumbai at Mahalaxmi Bridge, stinking with garbage, but appro. 1000 foreigners still visit the world's largest washerman colony.
Contact Us
Municipal Mahalaxmi Dhobighat,
Dr. E.Moses Road,
Jacob Circle, Mumbai – 400 011
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