'Slumdog' kids get new homes?

Rubina Ali and Azharuddin Ismail, the two youths from Dharavi shanties who played roles of Jamal and Latika in Oscar-winning movie "Slumdog Millionaire" will get one flat each from government quota if Maharashtra Housing Area Development Authority (MHADA) has its way. Amarjeet Singh Manhas, Chairman of Mumbai Housing and Area Development Authority, a unit of MHADA, has written a letter to the housing authority's vice-president Gautam Chatterjee asking him to provide one flat each to both as they made India proud with their acting talent. "The acting talent of the two has made India proud. The children, who belong to underprivileged family, are special for us. They played equal role in getting the movie the Oscars. In a move to honour them, Amarjeet Singh has written a letter to MHADA officials to grant them houses," Krishna Hegde, a member of MHADA board told. Rubina and Azharuddin are now living in Garibnagar in suburban Bandra. "Mumbai Congress president Kripashankar Singh will also meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in the evening to discuss about providing flats to the children," Hegde added.