Essay Questions

What is the main reason for the development of informal settlements such as Annawadi in India?

The main reason for the development of slums in India is the disparity in the distribution of financial resources. The biggest percentage of Indians live in absolute poverty. People are categorized according to social classes and those who belong in the lower class are majorly found in slums such as Annawadi. Katherine Boo spent most of her time in India studying the main reason for the vast financial disparities. Katherine realized that people in informal settlements are neglected and treated as lesser beings by authorities and those people who belong to middle and upper social classes.

Why are the people living in Annawadi living in fear?

Despite the disgracing living conditions in Annawadi slum, the inhabitants are living in fear because their future is uncertain. The slum sits on an airport land implying that it can be repossessed any time. More often, the residents of this slum are threatened of evacuation by the airport officials because the land might be used for future developments.

How did the Annawadi slum come into existence according to Katherine Boo?

The Annawadi slum started developing in the year 1991 when the construction of the Mumbai Airport kicked off. Most of the workers in the construction of the airport were migrants. These migrants had nowhere to reside and they decided to put temporary structures on the soggy grounds of the airport. When the construction of the airport was completed, most of these families did not move from the temporary makeshifts that they had put up. As time went by, these makeshifts turned out to be one of the biggest slums in Mumbai. The population in this Annawadi slum tripled and within no time, the place was densely populated.