Articles by Pooja Bhatia

Every season brings its own positives and challenges for Aapli Mumbai. Monsoon is over and we are now grappling with the onset of winter and air pollution. Whatever the season and its challenges, it is important to look at the systemic issues and keep the focus on solutions. Only the collective will and efforts of the people and the administration can make the city more liveable. With that thought, Citizen Matters had organised an Essay Competition – Mumbai Monsoon Masterminds, calling for opinions from residents of Mumbai to share their experiences about monsoons and offer unique solutions. In the following…

It's October, and examinations are in full swing for school and college students as they prepare under immense pressure. A crucial aspect during the month is students' mental health, and interestingly, World Mental Health Day is observed every year in October to raise awareness about mental healthcare.  According to an older survey by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), over 40% of Mumbai students suffer from anxiety, depression, and related mental health issues. Furthermore, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) records show that Mumbai had the highest number of student suicides in India in 2019, reflecting growing concerns about…

With admission season in full swing, students and parents in the city are busy choosing courses and colleges. Amidst this anxiety and nervousness, another issue on the minds of students is the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). A total of 57 institutes in Mumbai will roll out the NEP from this academic year (2023-2024). One of the major changes that NEP implementation requires is the duration of courses. Three-year undergraduate courses are now a four-year course. An additional year is for the students to attain an honours degree, with a research option in the final year. The policy…

Every morning, Tony Aranha, a resident of Malad West, wakes up to find a pile of garbage right in front of his housing society. The situation is so dire that he avoids stepping out even for bare minimum errands to the nearest market. "It is difficult to walk due to the stench of garbage. The area is extremely unclean, and I feel that the machinery put up by the BMC is ineffective. Instead of going from society to society, the BMC should designate a centre for segregation at Malad," says Tony. Malad (P/N Ward) is one of the most populated…

Piyu identifies herself as a trans person. Until last year, she would occasionally get called for "blessings" at functions but mostly it was a struggle to survive. But all that changed once she came to Bambai Nazariya. Bambai Nazariya, located in the busy and vibrant Lokhandwala, at Andheri, is a café that employs trans persons. Amidst the cacophony of traffic and crowd, it is a cozy café that has been running for over a year and bringing solace to the community in more than one ways. Piyu has been an employee since its inception last year. "Life was very different…

Only two things come to mind when one mentions Orlem, the sprawling fish market and the splendid church. However, it is making news for another issue over the past few months. The citizens of Orlem have been putting up a brave struggle and resisting a polluter in the region. Over the past six months, Orlem has witnessed massive air pollution emanating from a Ready-Mix Concrete plant (RMC) operating in the vicinity. The plant, located opposite Orlem Church in Malad West, is a severe health hazard, say residents.  A ready-mix concrete plant operating at Orlem, Malad West. Pic- Pooja Bhatia Dealing…