Urbanization, Migration, Slums and Poverty In India

Urbanization is not a new reality, but how it is tackled in our country needs new perspectives. The urban population faces many kinds of vulnerabilities, and some specific sections of the population are more susceptible to these vulnerabilities. The schemes through which these vulnerabilities are tackled can play an important role in shaping the future of the urban poor including migrants into the city. But unfortunately, in our country beneficiaries of government schemes are just the spectators, not the participants. India needs a participatory approach towards the solutions to urban problems which includes housing for the urban poor, exclusion of migrants from urban development, and poverty in cities. Now it is the time to remove our blinders and include urban vulnerable sections in the rapid process of development.