Samsuddin, a printmaker in Dharavi, Mumbai, whose small but efficient studio reflects the spirit of local enterprise. From printing school uniforms for suburban Mumbai to receiving an order from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh, Samsuddin's journey weaves personal strength with community-rooted entrepreneurship. He exemplifies how creativity and determination shape life in Dharavi. Amidst talks of redevelopment, Samsuddin advocates for progress without displacement, preserving the soul of the community he calls home.
Satish Dalvi, a second-generation Dharavi resident whose journey from sanitation work to caregiving exposes the layered realities of caste, labor, and survival in Mumbai. As an outspoken activist and rationalist, his quiet rebellion against exploitation and superstition carves space for dignity and resistance in the city.
Shankar Jadhav, a 61-year-old cobbler, defies caste boundaries beneath Samvidhan Square. With calloused hands, a love for books, and quiet resilience, he mends shoes, nurtures a square, and challenges the invisibility imposed by society: one stitch, one flower, one act of dignity at a time.
This article argues that Haussmann’s transformation of 19th-century Paris was driven by speculative strategies — both political and financial — to reshape the city for elite interests under the guise of modernization. The piece frames Haussmann’s Paris as a blueprint for today’s neoliberal urban projects, like the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), highlighting how large-scale urban interventions often prioritize investment and control over genuine social improvement, and lead to the depoliticization of public space.
This article draws parallels between the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) in Mumbai and Haussmann’s 19th-century transformation of Paris, arguing that both are examples of neoliberal urbanism—where large-scale city projects are driven by investment interests and state power, often at the expense of the local urban fabric. Both projects use narratives of modernization, hygiene, and public order to justify top-down interventions, but ultimately serve elite and capitalist interests by turning urban space into a site for profit.
The 13th Compound, known for being a hub of informal recycling of plastic and metal, branches into endless veins of tempos overflowing with waste collected from the city, and godowns churning with heavy crushers. Irfan Bhai, a man with 30 years of experience and Ashraf, his son, tell us the intricacies of this age-old business and their future plans.
Shahid Sheikh’s dyeing unit in Dharavi may be small, but it’s full of colour, care, and quiet skill. His story is one of patience, pride, and the kind of work that speaks for itself.
From his humble beginnings and early struggles to becoming a respected contractor and political voice, Arunlal’s journey reflects the strength, grit, and deep-rooted commitment to his neighbourhood. Known for his signature white attire and heartfelt leadership, he stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance in challenging times for Dharavi.
In a quiet corner of Dharavi, a small sculptor’s studio runs on tradition, patience, and mutual respect. Led by a young but deeply admired teacher, the space is both workshop and home. Here, idols are crafted slowly, shaped with care and rooted in custom. In a rapidly changing city, this studio offers stillness, a quiet commitment to craft and community.
This story revolves around Zari Karigars seamlessly shuffling beads into pins and passing white crystals through yellow fabric, headed by Vivek Ji, the preserver of this timeless art form.