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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A homeless boy holds biscuits that he received as alms as he takes shelter from rain in front of a fast food shop in Mumbai.

Mumbai is land of some of the world's richest people. It is also home to the world's poorest. It is a city of swanky malls and shabby chawls (slums).

It's a city where skyscrapers exist with sprawling slums. In India's financial capital, the rich-poor divide is a stark reality...

Despite India's economic growth, the gap between richer and poorer households has not been bridged.

One of the world's top 10 centres of commerce in terms of global financial flow, Mumbai is also home to Asia's largest slum.

Click NEXT to see the rich and poor side of India's most bustling city, Mumbai...

The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Mukesh Ambani's residence.

While half of the city's population lives in slums, Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, lives in this posh 27-storey building, named Antilia.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Dharavi.

Women wash themselves outside their shanty in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, in Mumbai. Over 40 percent of India's almost 1.2 billion population live in poverty.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
WorldOne Tower.

By 2014, India's financial capital will have the world's tallest residential building!

Lodha Developers plans to build the world's tallest residential tower at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) in central Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Mumbai suburban train.

Commuters travel in a suburban train in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A luxury hotel in Mumbai.

A bartender prepares a drink for customers at a bar in a luxury hotel in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A homeless child.

A homeless child tries to drink water from a plastic container on a beach in Mumbai

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Aston Martin One 77.

An Aston Martin One-77 is displayed on a stage in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Poor children in Mumbai.

Children eat in their make-shift home in an unused waterpipe in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Taj Palace Hotel.

Employees of the Taj Palace Hotel walk inside the heritage wing of the hotel in Mumbai.

 

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Rahul sleeps in a hammock.

Five-month-old Rahul sleeps in a hammock next to a outdoor shop along a sidewalk in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
US socialite Paris Hilton in Mumbai.

US socialite Paris Hilton poses for photographers inside a shopping mall during the launch of her new line of handbags and accessories in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Zara, 7, plays suspended from wires.

Zara, 7, plays suspended from wires on a trampoline at a fun fair outside a shopping mall in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai.

People walk in front of the Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A labourer.

A labourer works with a pulley inside a motor pump workshop in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Mohan Silva sits on a park bench in the evening with his eight-month-old specially bred miniature schanuzer, Smokey in Mumbai.

Specially bred dogs have been becoming more popular with Indian families as their incomes rise and people look to adopt pets.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A child living with his family on a pavement.

A child living with his family on a pavement stands in front of a wall covered with graffiti in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Artists put finishing touches on the idols of Ganesh.

Artists put finishing touches on the idols of Ganesh, the Hindu deity of prosperity, at a workshop in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A girl sits on a rail track.

A girl sits on a rail track in a slum in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Decorative lights illuminate the facade of La Mer.

Decorative lights illuminate the facade of La Mer, the building where Bollywood star Aishwarya Rai owns a flat.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Dharavi.

A general view of Dharavi, considered Asia's biggest shantytown, is seen in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Gucci showroom in Mumbai.

An employee arranges bags at a Gucci showroom in Mumbai.


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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Tairabi Pathan at her shop.

Tairabi Pathan, 40, who took a loan of rupees 10,000 ($220) from a micro finance company to start her own business, arranges her goods for sale at the side of a road in a slum area in Mumbai.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
Airbus A380.

An Airbus A380 aircraft prepares to land at Mumbai international airport.

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A worker transports kerosene oil in a bullock cart.

A worker transports kerosene oil in a bullock cart to retail outlets in Mumbai

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST
A worker cleans the glasses.

A worker cleans the glasses of a shopping mall in Mumbai

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The rich-poor divide in Mumbai

Last updated on: October 19, 2011 17:24 IST

Construction workers look at a F1 racing car on display during a promotional event of an international clothing brand at a shopping mall in Mumbai.