URBAN POOR Citizen Matters

Bhopal: Lockdown relaxed, but no end to miseries of the marginalised

August 14, 2020 Porag Shome and Neelansh Sethi

The lockdown pushed many members of the Pardhi community in Bhopal to beg for survival. Now, as they try to rebuild their lives post lockdown, there is still little hope.

Neither food nor food allowance for hungry school kids in Delhi since March

August 11, 2020 Sri Krishna

The Directorate of Education said the delay in cash transfers was due to the preoccupation with COVID. Meanwhile poor families struggle to provide the bare minimum nutrition for their children.

Why homeless families living under Kolkata flyover don’t want to go anywhere, come COVID or cyclone!

July 10, 2020 Puja Bhattacharjee/PARI

Living on the streets with all its dangers and risks has made people like Sabita fearless about pandemics and cyclones. Few inclemencies match the storms they have battled for survival.

Why 288 families in Bhopal were left scrounging for food during the lockdown

June 9, 2020 Porag Shome and Neelansh Sethi

Three slums in and around Bhopal are home to 288 Bel-Pardhi families, one of the 198 ‘denotified’ tribes in India. Here is what they faced during the lockdown.

Lal Dora: The invisible red thread limiting the lives of Delhi’s ‘urban villagers’

May 23, 2020 Paras Tyagi and Antara Vats

Villages like Budhela, Munirka, Mehrauli and others have all been absorbed into the urban limits of Delhi. But what does it mean for the natives and migrants residing here?

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.

Looking beyond the cost of a ticket: Should migrant labourers go home?

May 12, 2020 Manasi Paresh Kumar

Watching the heartbreaking images of migrant labourers trying to reach home during the lockdown, it seems cruel to argue that they stay put. But to allow them to go back may be even more disastrous.

When life returns to normal, will our domestic workers finally get their due?

May 7, 2020 Bhargavi S Rao

This pandemic has taught us the value of a work force that cities have largely taken for granted. As the lockdown is lifted in a few zones, it is time to introspect and ensure just and humane employment for domestic workers.

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.

Will hunger pangs among migrant labour lead to anger on the streets?

May 4, 2020 T R Gopalakrishnan

Most people we spoke with are cautious about how the situation will develop post May 4th, but all pointed to the shortcomings in the present system for providing relief to the poor.

Op-ed: Will COVID-19 teach us to respect and value labour more?

April 28, 2020 Vandana Swami

A strong economy cannot be built on weak foundations, especially where human resources are concerned. If and when we return to normal life, how will we treat the ones who toil away at the bottom of the pyramid in India?

Op-ed: Why cities must strive for equality to fight COVID-19 effectively

April 20, 2020 Robin King, Jillian Du and Radha Chanchani

Social distancing, washing hands — all these are critically important responses to the pandemic, but such directives assume that residents have adequate space, services and social safety nets to carry out these orders. This is simply not the reality across cities in India and in many countries of the world.

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.