Exploring the Slums of Kolkata

Book excerpt: Kolkata has long been celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, intellectual fervor, and colonial-era architecture. However, there is much more to the city, including socioeconomic disparities, problem of urban migration, and the struggle for survival The journey embarked upon in this book takes us through the crowded, narrow lanes of slums the slums of Kolkata. We navigate through the daily struggles for access to clean water, education, healthcare, and dignified employment. This book is a sociological study that invites readers to explore the nuances of poverty, the impact of urbanization, and the collective efforts to carve out a dignified existence. The data collection process undertaken to write this book are of two types:- a) Secondary data collection b) Primary data collection The primary data are the data’s which is in original from and is directly collected from the field. The secondary data’s are those data that were already collected someone and which may have passed through some statistical process. The secondary data have been collected mainly from Census of India, National Atlas and thematic Mapping Organization, Kolkata Metropolitan Developmental Authority and Kolkata Municipal Corporation etc. As we navigate the intricacies of life within Kolkata's slums, it is essential to recognize the systemic issues that perpetuate these challenges. From inadequate infrastructure to limited access to education and healthcare, the complexities are deeply rooted in broader societal structures.