Browsing by Author "Dr. Atrayee Majumdar, - Supervisor"

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Aspirational cities : community-led interventions impact quality of life in Bengaluru slums
(2023-10-13) Sharma, Anshul Rai; Dr. Atrayee Majumdar, - Supervisor
Rising levels of inequality in Indian cities is a ubiquitous notion in urban studies. The implications of inequality translate into myriad forms of exclusions for the urban poor. With respect to the category of ‘urban slums’ these take three interrelated exclusionary parities. First, the physical exclusion of the slum, where the slum as a space is seen separate from the city, reinforced by various gentrification processes. Second, exclusion from formal economy by increasing informalization of the labor force. Finally, exclusion from political language which does not account for the key issues and the voices of the slum, rendering it a politically silent zone. To formulate a novel inquiry would mean uncovering new terrains of urbanization that enable critique instead of harboring predefined policy problems. This research situates the lack of work on ‘aspirations’ within informal settlements as a key academic and policy gap. Through rigorous primary work in the urban slum of Bengaluru over six months, this research addresses this gap by looking at various community-led processes and how they address the three-fold exclusions. The key question: Why are community-led interventions more impactful than state-led measures at addressing the needs of the slums. Such questions become pivotal to Indian cities, which face the dual challenges of being engines of economic growth and sustaining the rapidly changing ecological landscape. In no other city is this dual more disruptive than Bengaluru. Adopting a case study approach, this work critically analyses the community-based interventions in a specific slum of Rajinder Nagar in Bengaluru. The research shows that community-based interventions are more attuned to the individual and collective aspirations of the youth within the slum. This is confirmed through a range of methods involving data collection along with longitudinal analysis of individual trajectories of slum youth during this research. This is not only useful to understand why state-led policies to uplift the slums are ineffective but also provides a new prescription through which local development could be understood within policy studies. It is argued that strengthening the capacity of local development through community-led measures is the most effective way of addressing issues in informal settlements. Key words: Urban Slums, Economic Mobility, Youth, Municipalism
Illegal entrepreneurship : a socio-economic profile of bootleggers of Bihar
(National Law School of India University, Bangalore, 2023-10-13) Kumar, Ankit; Dr. Atrayee Majumdar, - Supervisor
The study presents a comprehensive analysis of illegal entrepreneurship in the form of bootlegging enterprise in Bihar. The research investigates the socio-economic profiles of bootleggers involved in the illicit trade of alcohol. The study examines various dimensions of this underground economy. Through ethnographic research tools, the study uncovers the factors driving individuals to engage in illegal entrepreneurship, such as poverty, lack of viable livelihood opportunities, and societal attitudes. It provides valuable insights into the complex web of motivations, challenges, and decision-making processes involved in bootlegging activities. Moreover, the research sheds light on the socio-economic impact of bootlegging, including its consequences for marginalized communities, law enforcement, and the broader society. The study delved into the inner workings of the illicit alcohol trade in Bihar, providing a comprehensive understanding of its various dimensions and complexities. One significant finding highlighted the prevalence of bootlegging operations within marginalized and poor communities. These communities often turned to bootlegging as a means of survival due to limited economic opportunities. Additionally, the research uncovered an intricate network of suppliers, distributors, and consumers involved in the illicit alcohol trade. The study also delved into the symbiotic relationship between bootleggers and their immediate society, shedding light on the motivations and psychological factors associated with engaging in this illegal activity. A particular focus was placed on the position of women within the illicit trade and the gendered aspects that influence their involvement. Overall, the research study provided valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics of the bootlegging enterprise in Bihar, contributing to a better understanding of the socio-economic factors that drive this illicit trade.