Oscar kids may be gifted government flats

Mumbai, Feb 24 (IANS) A day after the child actors Azharuddin Ismail and Rubina Rafiq of "Slumdog Millionaire" walked the red carpet and shot to fame, the Mumbai Congress has proposed to gift a flat each to them.

Azharuddin Ismail Shaikh Usman and Rubina Rafiq Asghar Ali Qureshi, both residents of Garib Nagar slum in Bandra East, Mumbai, played the youngest version of the lead characters in the Oscar-winning film and were flown to the US for Hollywood's biggest awards ceremony Sunday.

"Slumdog Millionaire" won eight Oscars at the 81st annual Academy Awards -- almost following the fairytale journey of its hero in the movie.

"These children have brought laurels to the country. It is our duty to look after and safeguard them," Mumbai Congress president Kripashankar Singh said Tuesday.

Singh said he would meet Chief Minister Ashok Chavan Tuesday evening and initiate the process. Also, he urged Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) chairman Amarjit Singh Manhas to take up the issue on a priority basis.

In all, it seems these kids made famous by the film are having the time of their life. Not only have they been flown to Hollywood but may also earn a flat as a gift - an opportunity to move out of the slum life.

Rubina's father Rafiq is a casual carpenter while Azharuddin's father Ismail trades in old furniture.

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