URBAN POOR Citizen Matters, Mumbai

How powerful are Mumbaikars? Turns out, not that much

December 24, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

There is no decentralised urban governance in India, but a new index conceived by a city-based NGO, can help unpack why.

Effects of Urbanisation: A look at marginalised women’s mental health

December 14, 2020 Malathi Rai

Urbanisation affects women’s mental health in various ways. It is tougher for women from marginalised sections of the society. Here’s how.

Dharavi women take to street vending to feed families

November 23, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

There has been a significant increase in street vending during the pandemic. But the hurdles these vendors face have not reduced.

Self-development of Mumbai’s shanties is a pipe dream

November 14, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

Self-development is often touted as a model for better urban housing. It is considered an antidote to builder-led redevelopment or resettlement. But financing and sustaining a large self-development project has proven unsuccessful.

Can an urban income guarantee scheme reduce unemployment in cities?

November 4, 2020 Apekshita Varshney

In 2019, researchers at the Azim Premji University (APU) proposed the creation of a National Urban Employment Guarantee Programme that addresses the problem of unemployment, underemployment and low wages in the informal urban workforce. The

COVID-19 Relief: Access to food remains a struggle for Mumbai’s poor

August 17, 2020 Doel Jaikishen and Vindhya Jyoti

With their livelihoods and income compromised, people’s food insecurity will only magnify.

No income, no food, no government relief: Kamathipura’s sex workers pushed to the brink

July 13, 2020 Santoshee Gulabkali Mishra

With no income and no food for the past three months, the sex workers of Kamathipura are desperate to go back to work, even if it gets them just a cup of tea and bread!

Toys, some joy and a little hope in times of COVID-19

May 20, 2020 Kedar Nagarajan

In M East ward in Mumbai, children in poor and informal settlements are being engaged in creative learning activities to distract them from the stress of COVID-19.

How residents of a low-income Mumbai settlement ensured food for their migrant neighbours

May 19, 2020 Malay Kotal

A single man’s drive and an empathetic community led to this community kitchen in Mumbai’s Pisavali, which has provided hundreds of food packets to migrant families.

Why Shramik trains and other promises have brought little cheer to Mumbai’s migrant workers

May 5, 2020 Hepzi Anthony

Mumbai has an estimated 3 million migrant workers. Even if the railways ferry about 2400 people in two trains per day, it will take a couple of months to transport them back home.

How youth from a Mumbai slum ensured food for all in the community during the COVID crisis

April 17, 2020 Kaustubh Jagtap

It was not a mean feat — battling poverty, the lockdown and even antagonism from some higher powers. But in an amazing display of method, generosity and resilience, youth from Bhagat Singh Nagar slum gathered under the banner of ‘Bhakar Foundation’ to ensure noone in the slum went hungry.

Mumbai youth group urges support for the poor as they face starvation, job cuts along with COVID risk

April 2, 2020 Anuja Sirohi

Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA) conducted a rapid assessment in over 20 settlements across Greater Mumbai where low-income communities live and work, and found that they not only face risk of disease, but a threat to basic sustenance in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.