May be some of the answers to the problem will be found in the book 'Perspectives on Inclusive Urbanism- Exploring Marginality in Kolkata', which was recently unveiled at the Quest Mall outlet of the city's popular lifestyle store chain Starmark.

Edited by Dr. Snehamanju Basu, Assistant Professor of Geography, Lady Brabourne College, and her daughter Mohona Basu, a research scholar at Jadavpur University, the book has been published by  Alphaneumero Publishers.

Dr. Kalyan Rudra, Chairman of Pollution Control Board and member of the Central Pollution Control Board; Siuli Sarkar, Principal, Lady Brabourne College; Dr. Kinjalkini Biswas, Principal of Muralidhar Girls College; Abhirup Sarkar, Professor of Economics, Indian Statistical Institute; and Gautam Das, a representative of the publishing house were present among others.

The book is a collection of 25 essays written by several contributors based on primary surveys in Kolkata.

“More than half of the population lives in the city and more than 80 per cent of the GDP comes from the city,” said Dr Basu.

Spread over six chapters, the book covers issues like concept of ‘inclusion’, environmental pollution, transport system, livelihood of slum dwellers, organic family practice, study of street food vendors, problems of waterlogging, solid waste management, women’s safety in public spaces, etc.

Speaking about the importance of the study, Abhirup Sarkar said, “It’s a very important piece of research. I think the book is important for two different reasons. The first is general interest, the book answers some research questions of general interest. Secondly, a particular view can be taken from this book.”

About the importance of inclusion of the marginal population, he said, “A certain section of population is left out by the developmental activities of the city and this book covers the fate of those slum dwellers and the problems they face on a regular basis.”

Dr. Kalyan Rudra, who has specialised in geo-morphology, and has researched on the deltas of the river Ganga and Brahmaputra, talked about the chapters of the book that deal with environmental pollution and how important it is to tackle the dangerous level of dirt and harmful chemicals found in the air and water of Kolkata.

The book launch concluded with felicitation of scholars and professors who contributed to the book.

(Reporting by Tirna Chatterjee)