Author interview: Author Uttara Singh focuses on the living conditions in south-west Delhi's slums

Congratulations on the release of 'Way of Life in Slums of South-West Delhi'! How does it feel to be a published author?

For many people, being a published author is their ultimate goal. Trying to get a book published is not an easy task, a lot of blood, sweat, sleepless nights go into that. For me, it was like getting my dream job, putting my ideas and views on this topic when most of the suggestions for the betterment of slums go wasted; this might draw the attention of policy makers and thinkers not to overlook this reality.

We believe it is a thesis project, so what interested you in the topic?

Yes, indeed it is. Well, I have lived in Delhi for quite sometime now, and whenever I use to visit/ pass these quarters, my heart always felt for the deplorable condition residents experience here. So, this motivated me to carry forward the idea and the present book is an outcome of the same.

What kind of research did you undertake? Did you visit the slums in south-west Delhi?

I first identified the slum quarters as per the various government and departmental reports. However, it wasn’t satisfactory. So, I conducted an ethnographic survey for the same. Yes, I did visit all the 82 slums listed in my book.

What areas of improvement does the book talk about, concerning living condition in the region?

Well I have prepared a model for in-situ up-gradation of the enlisted slums. I would like to take the opportunity to ask all the readers, students to look into the book, as it will be totally unfair to discuss it here with limited time and space.

What message do you have for your readers?

Slums are a global phenomena. There is no place in the world that is totally slum free. Hence they mustn’t be viewed as a problem but as an entity, a essential part. Their coexistence can’t be denied and the improvement of their living conditions should be the goal. Readers can ponder over the ideas and strategies shared in the book. The scope of improvement is open and is endless.