Articles by Shiboni Sundar

Shiboni is a social science researcher based out of Mumbai. She has been working in the development sector since the past 4 years and has primarily worked on topics that are centric to public finance for children, education, healthcare, gender and WASH. She has a Masters degree in Economics from Symbiosis School of Economics, Pune. She is passionate about exploring cultures and history. Her current interests include reading and cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

How water crisis deepens gender inequality

by September 6, 2023

Rani is a 12-year-old young girl studying in 6th grade. She has lived all her life in Ambedkar Nagar in Colaba. Her day usually begins at 5:00 am. In this informal settlement, water comes for two hours and given her family size of five, she and her mother have to ensure that is available for all. Rani’s mother is a daily wage worker and leaves for her work as early as 6:00-6:30 am. It is up to Rani to ensure enough water for the household. “Kabhi-kabhi paani nahi aata hai time pe, isliye main school se chutti leti hu,” (There…

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More heat, less business: Street vendors struggle as temperatures soar in Mumbai

by April 26, 2023

Ramesh, a vegetable vendor in Mumbai is a resident of Uttar Pradesh where his family lives while he is here in the city, earning his living. For over a decade, Ramesh works for 10 to 12 hours a day, on the streets selling perishable vegetables and fruits. Working in the adverse climatic conditions of heat, monsoon and mild winter is part of his occupation. “Garmi ka toh kuch kar nahi sakte, paise toh kamaane hi hai,” (We cannot do much about the heat when the question is about our livelihood)” he says with a smile, when asked about the current…

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