Resettlement Colony Research Articles

Awareness and willingness to pledge for eye donation among adult population of an urban re-settlement colony of Delhi

Introduction: Blindness is one of the major public health problems in India. Visual rehabilitation by corneal transplantation remains a major treatment option in those who are already blind due to corneal diseases. To combat with shortage of corneal donation in India, spreading awareness among masses regarding eye donation becomes important. Objectives: (1) To determine the awareness regarding eye donation amongst adults (>20 years) in an urban re-settlement colony of Delhi. (2) To assess their willingness to pledge for eye donation. (3) To determine the factors influencing their decision for eye donation. Material and Methods: This was a cross sectional study, conducted in the urban health centre attached to a medical college of Delhi between October to December 2013. Systematic random sampling was used and every alternate adult patient >20 yrs attending the UHC was recruited. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS by a single investigator. Results: Majority (84.4%) had heard of eye donation. Only 21.2% were aware about contraindications for donating eyes. A little over quarter (27.6%) had heard of eye bank facility. When asked whether the retrieved eye can be stored before transplantation, majority (59.2%) didn’t know. More than half (54%) didn’t know which part of eye is removed. Mass media was major source of information in three forth respondents (74.9%). 45.5% were willing to pledge their eyes, a similar proportion was not willing (44.1%), five (2.4%) had already pledged and 17 (8.1%) were yet undecided to pledge. Conclusion: While majority of participants had heard of eye donation, but their knowledge regarding certain aspects of eye donation was found to be poor.

Screen-based media use and screen time assessment among adolescents residing in an Urban Resettlement Colony in New Delhi, India.

Background:Media forms an important part of the lives of adolescents in as much as the shows they watch on television, playing video games, as well as visiting the various websites. There is a growing concern of the influence of media on every aspect of health of children and adolescents. About 95% of the population in India has availability of television. India has limited studies which have explored the use of screen-based media (SBM) and its effect on child health. This study was conducted to assess the pattern of SBM use.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in an Urban Resettlement Colony, New Delhi. The study included 550 adolescents of age group from 10 to 19 years of age selected through simple random sampling from a list of adolescents residing in the area. A semi-structured interview schedule was used.Results:About 98% of the adolescents used SBM. Television formed the maximum used media (96.5%). The mean (standard deviation) of the screen time was found to be 3.8 (2.77) h/day. Out of the total screen time, time contributed by television is 2.8 h/day followed by other SBM. About 68% of adolescents reported having screen time more than the recommended (>2 h). Significant association was observed between screen time and watching television while eating [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.35 (0.22, 0.55)].Conclusion:High proportion of adolescents use SBM for more than the recommended screen time. We should have a recommendation for maximum screen time separately for developing countries.

Association of sociodemographic characteristics with KAP regarding menstrual hygiene among women in an urban area in Delhi

Introduction: Menstruation despite being a natural process is linked with several misconceptions and false practices, which sometimes results in adverse health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding menstrual hygiene and their association with sociodemographic determinants among women in an urban area of Delhi. Materials and Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional survey was conducted for a period of 1 year among 350 women age 18–45 years residing in an urban resettlement colony in Delhi. Semi‑structured questionnaire containing questions regarding subject’s demographic profile, their knowledge, attitude, and practices pertaining to menstrual hygiene was used. It had seven questions regarding knowledge and eight questions each about attitude and practices regarding menstrual hygiene, respectively. A 5‑point Likert scale was used to assess women’s responses to attitude questions. Practices satisfactory or unsatisfactory were based on UNICEF guidelines. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17. Results: The mean age of women was 26.53 ± 0.295 years. More than three‑fourths (88.3%) women had good knowledge, whereas only 32.3% of women had a positive attitude regarding menstrual hygiene. More than two‑thirds of the women were using sanitary pads as menstrual absorbent. Significant association was seen between knowledge and subject’s marital status ( P = 0.034) and subject’s occupation ( P = 0.046). A significant association was observed between attitude and socioeconomic status of the participant ( P = 0.001). Conclusion: These findings indicate the need for education about healthy menstrual practices. Health education is an essential requirement to fill the knowledge gap to promote accessibility, availability, and sanitary facilities and products. Keywords: Attitude; knowledge; menstrual hygiene; practices

Magnitude and Correlates of Anemia in Elderly Women of a Resettlement Colony of Delhi.

Background:Anemia of any degree contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality and has a significant effect on the quality of life of elderly women. Despite its clinical importance, anemia in the elderly women is underrecognized.Objectives:The objective of this study was to assess the magnitude and correlates of anemia in elderly women of a resettlement colony of Delhi.Materials and Methods:A community-based, cross-sectional study for the duration of 1 year was conducted among 512 geriatric women (≥60 years). Demographic characteristics, dietary assessment, and behavioral risk factors were determined by interview, and the participants underwent physical examination followed by hemoglobin estimation by HemoCue. Anemia was defined using the WHO criteria of hemoglobin <12 g/dl. Chi-square test was employed to study the association between sociodemographic factors and anemia followed by multivariate regression analysis.Results:The prevalence of anemia was 79.9% according to the WHO criteria of hemoglobin <12 g/dl in females. Age, education, marital status, financial dependence, diagnosed chronic disease, diet, calorie intake, history of worm infestation, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with anemia on univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, age, marital status, financial dependence, diagnosed chronic disease, diet, calorie intake, and BMI were significant explanatory variables for anemia.Conclusion:Our study points out high prevalence of and some of the major factors associated with anemia in elderly women. The need of the hour is to include our elderly women under the gamut of National Anemia Prophylaxis Program.

Status of Noncommunicable Disease Screening in an Urban Resettlement Colony in Delhi, India: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Background Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for more than two-third cases of premature mortality (30–69 years) in India. Screening for NCDs is the most effective means for detection of undiagnosed NCD cases and early treatment initiation that lowers morbidity and mortality due to these diseases. The objective of the present study was to assess the NCD screening status in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi. Materials and Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among residents of the area. Patients with preexisting hypertension and diabetes and aged below 30 years were excluded. The patients were further screened for hypertension by taking three separate readings using an aneroid sphygmomanometer. The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) was calculated to evaluate diabetes risk. Results A total of 110 men and 103 women (N = 213) met the inclusion criteria. The mean (±standard deviation) age of the patients was 40 (±9.3) years. A history of previous screening for hypertension and diabetes was reported by 73 (34.2%) and 40 (35.4%) patients, respectively. A medium or high-risk of having diabetes mellitus as per the IDRS score was present in most (88.4%) patients. On current screening, nine (8.2%) men and nine (8.7%) women were identified as undiagnosed hypertension cases. Only four (3.8%) women had undergone a clinical breast exam, and just nine (8.7%) women ever had a Pap smear examination. Conclusion The present study shows that the current strategy of opportunistic screening for NCDs has been unable to reach large segments of vulnerable and at risk populations.

Shared risk factors of non-communicable diseases: A community based study among adults in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi

Introduction: As urbanisation is increasing, the problem of communicable as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is also increasing. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases constitute most of the NCDs whose risk factors are almost similar. They could be modifiable like physical activity, waist circumference, diet, smoking, alcohol intake . Objective: To study the magnitude of shared risk factors for Non-communicable diseases in adults of an urban resettlement colony of Delhi. Material and Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted on adults >30 years (n=580) in both genders in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi in 2014. A Semi-structured interview schedule consisting of Socio-demographic characteristics, risk factor profile was used. Data was entered and analyzed in SPSS 12 Results: Out of the total 580 subjects (313)53.96% were women and 267(46.03%) were men. Majority 405(69.8%) of the study subjects were taking inadequate fruits and vegetables ( 5 gm salt per day. About 181(31.2%) of the study subjects were sedentary workers, the proportion was more among women 99(31.6%). 223(83.5%) men had waist circumference within normal limits whereas 178 (56.9%) women had waist circumference more than 88 cm. One in four men were smokers. Nearly 49(18.4 %) of the men were current tobacco chewers as compared to 17(1.6%) of women. Only 33 (12.4%) men were currently consuming alcohol. Results of multiple logistic regression showed increasing age, education and marital status as significant socio demographic factors for increased prevalence of risk factors for NCDs. Conclusion: Promotion of lifestyle change to address these risk factors that can be modified including weight reduction, increased physical activity and healthy eating should be encouraged along with changing of behavioural factors like quitting smoking and alcohol.

The willingness for using mobile phone for health education among women caregivers of under 5 children in an urban resettlement colony in Delhi, India

Background: The delivery of health education through mobile phones either through voice calls or text messages (mHealth) provide valuable opportunities for bridging gaps in maternal and child healthcare in resource constrained settings. Aims &amp; Objectives: The objective of the present study was to assess willingness to receive m-Health services among women caregivers of under-5 children. Material &amp; Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study in an urban resettlement colony of North East District of Delhi during the period from September’ 2016 to Feb’ 2017. We enrolled 201 adult women up to 35 years of age who were active caregiver of at-least one under 5 child in their familial household. Results: The mean age of the women was 26.4 and mean years of schooling was 10.1 years. Nearly three-fourth (73.2%) could read text messages (SMS) while more than a third (36.8%) were using mobile internet services. The willingness to receive mHealth services for health promotion was affirmed by 157 (78.2%) subjects but it was significantly lower in women with low educational attainment. Conclusion: There exists a strong unmet need for mHealth services among young women caregivers of under 5 children. However, bridging the digital divide is a key challenge towards advancing mHealth for all.

Immunization coverage in an urban resettlement colony of district Gautam-Budh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India using WHO 30×7 cluster sampling technique

Background: Immunization is one of the most cost-effective interventions to prevent the suffering that comes from avoidable sickness, disability and death. In India, though immunization coverage has improved over the past few years, the country still accounts for the largest number of children who are not immunized i.e. 7.4 million. So, this study was taken up to assess the immunization coverage among children in District Gautam-Budh Nagar of Uttar Pradesh and to decipher the causes behind the partial immunization/non- immunization. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June-August 2015 in an urban resettlement colony of District Gautam-Budh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh among 210 children aged 12-23 months selected using WHO 30X7 cluster sampling technique. Results: A total of 210 children were covered, of which 72.9% children were fully immunized, 19.0% children were partially immunized, whereas, 8.1% children did not receive even a single dose of any vaccine, thus constituting a total of 27.1% children with partial/no immunization. On bi-variate analysis, significant associ­ation was observed between immunization status among children and caste (p=0.047), mother’s education (p=0.01), father’s education (p=0.000) and socio-economic status (p=0.003). On multi-variate analysis, however, only father’s educational status was found to be significantly associated. The major reasons for partial/non-immunization among children were Ignorance (80.7%) followed by unavailability of vaccines (7.0%). Conclusions: Immunization coverage found in the present study is still way short of the target of universal coverage. Therefore, health planners and policy makers in our country should develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve universal immunization coverage.

Awareness regarding diabetes and its complications in adults: A cross-sectional study in an urban resettlement colony of east Delhi

Abstract Background India has the dubious distinction of being the diabetes capital just next to China having 62.4 million diabetics which is expected to rise to 100 million by 2030. Being a growing problem in India, yet little is known about the awareness levels and barriers to care among patients with diabetes. Objective To assess the awareness regarding diabetes and its complications among adults in an urban resettlement colony of east Delhi. Materials and Methods A cross sectional survey was conducted on adults >30 years (N = 580) in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi in 2014. A Semi-structured interview schedule consisting of questions regarding diabetes was used. Results Out of 580 subjects, nearly 66% had heard about “Diabetes”. Men 175 (65.5%) were more aware than women 159 (50.8%) about the fact that diabetes is treatable. Half of the study subjects didn’t know that diabetes is preventable. Most common symptoms known were increased thirst (39.6%), appetite (37.5%), and urination (37%). Majority of the study subjects 259 (67.9%) thought that diabetes occurs by eating sugar. Only few 89 (23%) knew that along with medicine, diet and exercise also had a role in the treatment. Only 50% had the correct knowledge about lifelong treatment. Conclusion As the awareness regarding diabetes was poor, health education activities regarding diabetes should be increased.

Expenditure pattern on diabetes care: A Community based longitudinal study in resettlement colony of East Delhi

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the expensive diseases in the world. The cost of care in diabetes is high mainly because of its chronic nature and complications. Moreover, it affects economically productive section of society. But studies on economic impact of diabetes are very limited in India. The present aims to estimate the annual out of pocket expenditure of diabetic care among diabetics living in an underprivileged community of East Delhi. Methodology: A community based one year longitudinal study was conducted in Kalyanpuri area of East Delhi. All the diabetes patients (consecutive sampling) aged more than 25 years and who were the permanent residents of Kalyanpuri, attending the Diabetic Clinic of Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in November-December 2014were selected for the study. A pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule was used as study tool. Each subject was followed up 3 monthly from January 2015-December 2015. Both direct and indirect expenditure were estimated. Results: Total 153 study subjects were selected out of which 2 migrated and 1 died. So, data from 150 study subjects were collected and analyzed. The Mean and median annual expenditure was Rs. 8,958 ±11,704 and Rs. 4,443 respectively. The mean per capita annual direct expenditure was estimated to be Rs 6,821 ± 9,832 and mean annual indirect expenditure was Rs. 2,137 ± 5,622. Inpatient treatment and medicine are two major heads of expenditure. Conclusion: Expenditure on diabetes care among diabetes patients living in underprivileged community was considerably high despite of having well-functioning government hospital in vicinity of study area.

Determinants of Place of Birth in an Urban Resettlement Colony of Delhi

Determinants of Place of Birth in an Urban Resettlement Colony of Delhi

Assessment of undernutrition among children below 5, using Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF)

Background: SDG 2.2 aims to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Weight for age estimate misses out chronic and acute on chronic malnutrition. An aggregate indicator-the Composite Index of Anthropometric Failure (CIAF) can help in addressing this concern. Aim &amp; Objective: To assess the nutritional status of under five children using CIAF and compare it with other indices. Material &amp; Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in a resettlement colony of Delhi, between June to July 2015. Anthropometric measurements were taken using standard operative procedures. Mothers of the study children were interviewed to obtain relevant information. Z scores were calculated using WHO-ANTHRO software. Nutritional status indicators were determined as per the World Health Organization 2006 child growth standards. Results: A total of 100 under-5 children were assessed. The prevalence of CIAF was 62% in our study. 35% of children were found to be underweight, 25% were wasted and 43% stunted. Mid Upper Arm Circumference detected 58.5% as undernourished. Using weight-for-age criterion for identifying undernourished children led to underestimation of the prevalence by 27%. Conclusion: CIAF can be used to provide a single, aggregated assessment of undernutrition. Use of this tool by field level workers will improve the diagnosis of undernutrition and help in early initiation of treatment.

‘Journeys of the I and we’

For ethnographers repeatedly engaged with the same community on the ‘margins’, questions of access, positionality and representation become compounded by temporal dynamism. Participant and researcher subjectivities change over time, thus destabilizing identities and calling into question where and how to frame conversations. I reflect on bridging the gap between theoretical perspectives on the ‘margins’ and how inhabitants of a Delhi resettlement colony variously describe notions of liminality—from the metaphoric, to the geographic and to the social—over a prolonged ethnographic encounter. By bringing the temporal ‘journey’ of the researcher and interlocutor to the fore, I seek to open up a conversation on situated knowledges. More specifically, I ask how (and if) urban ethnographers can adequately capture shifting aspirations and feelings of in-betweenness, while grappling with one’s own responsibility to politically engaged research. Finally, I discuss the political relevance of evolving attitudes towards life on the margins, with implications for knowledge production and representation.

Magnitude and correlates of hypertension among geriatric women in a resettlement colony of Delhi

Background: Hypertension is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in the geriatric age group. Objective: The objective was to study the magnitude and correlates of hypertension among geriatric women in a resettlement colony of Delhi. Materials and Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study for the duration of 1 year was conducted among 512 geriatric women (≥60 years). Demographic characteristics and behavioral risk factors were determined by interview, and the participants underwent physical examination (blood pressure, height, weight, and waist circumference). Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were employed to study the association between risk factors and hypertension followed by multivariate regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 16.01%. Age, marital status, socioeconomic status, financial dependence, tobacco and alcohol use, physical activity, coexisting diabetes, body mass index, and waist circumference were significantly associated with hypertension on univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, tobacco use, coexisting diabetes, and obesity were significant explanatory variables for hypertension. Conclusion: This study identifies some of the major factors associated with hypertension in geriatric women. Therefore, community-based approaches for improving awareness regarding hypertension and its risk factors and lifestyle modifications are essential to reduce the burden.

Effect of health education on awareness about oral cancer and oral self-examination.

CONTEXT:Oral cancer is preceded by visible changes in the oral mucosa. These lesions can be detected by oral self-examination, but awareness about oral cancer is still low in developing countries.AIM:To evaluate the effect of health education on awareness about oral cancer and oral self-examination.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Quasi-experimental trial was conducted in an urban resettlement colony of Chandigarh, India.MATERIALS AND METHODS:A brochure having information and pictorials on oral lesions was used for conducting health education sessions on a one-to-one basis in the household setting among 85 males in age group 15–59 years during 2013, and each participant was encouraged to perform an oral self-examination. Study participants were interviewed about their awareness on oral cancer and oral self-examination before- and after-health education using a pretested interview schedule.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:Awareness items were scored, and mean change in awareness score was computed. Paired t-test was used for testing statistical significance.RESULTS:Thirty-three percent of the study participants were current smokers, 25% consumed alcohol, and 9.4% chewed tobacco. The awareness scores after health education increased significantly from 5.3 to 6.7 (P < 0.05), and 34% of the tobacco or alcohol users expressed their intention to quit these habits, and two persons actually quit tobacco chewing. Out of the 77 study participants who performed oral self-examination, nine were able to detect lesions, and one was found to have submucous fibrosis.CONCLUSIONS:Health education intervention was able to initiate a favorable behavior change in the community. Hence, oral self-examination programs should be promoted.

Awareness of cervical cancer and willingness to participate in screening program: Public health policy implications.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women in India. There is a high mortality as patients usually present at an advanced stage because of lack of awareness and nonexistent screening programs. This study was planned to find out awareness about cervical cancer among women and their willingness to utilize screening services in an urban resettlement colony of Delhi, India. A community-based, cross-sectional study was carried out in a resettlement colony of North-West Delhi. Semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect information regarding different aspects of cervical cancer. Analysis was done using SPSS package (SPSS version 16 (UCMS and GTBH, Delhi, India)). A total of 373 women were included in the study. Mean age of study participants was 39.14 years. Two-third of the study population were illiterate. Half of the study population was aware of cervical cancer, and only one-fourth of population were willing to participate in a screening test. Willingness was higher among educated, ever user of family planning method and having knowledge about at least one risk factor, signs or symptoms, or possibility of early diagnosis of cancer cervix. The country's national program advocates for opportunistic and targeted screening of women. An understanding of the factors that influences womens' willingness to participate in screening program is essential for the success of such programs. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for dissemination of knowledge about various aspects of cancer cervix which is critical for uptake of any screening program in a developing country.

Prevalence of induced abortions and contraceptive use among married women in an urban slum of Delhi, India.

To document abortion practices and contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in an urban slum of Delhi. Data were collected as part of a cross-sectional study conducted in an urban resettlement colony in the North East District of Delhi between November 2010 and December 2011. Systematic random sampling was used to enroll 200 married women aged 15-49years from each of the four blocks of the colony. Participants were interviewed and data were entered into a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Among 802 participants, 284 (35.4%) reported at least one spontaneous or induced abortion, and 196 (24.4%) reported induced abortions. Unsupervised medical termination was reported by 78 (27.5%) of the 284 women. Overall, only 207 (25.8%) women practiced any type of contraception. The predominant decision maker regarding contraception was the husband for 95 (45.9%) women and the mother-in-law for 78 (37.7%). There is a need for focused community-based education to address specific issues, particularly regarding the dangers of unsafe abortion and choosing a method of contraception in consultation with a healthcare practitioner.

Effectiveness of a brief community outreach tobacco cessation intervention in India: a cluster-randomised controlled trial (the BABEX Trial)

BackgroundTobacco use kills half a million people every month, most in low–middle income countries (LMICs). There is an urgent need to identify potentially low-cost, scalable tobacco cessation interventions for these...

To assess the prevalence and factors determining timely initiation of breastfeeding among the mothers in resettlement colony in Delhi

Background: The initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of birth has various benefits and has been found to reduce neonatal mortality and morbidity. Objective: This study is designed to assess the prevalence and determinants of timely initiation of breastfeeding among mothers in a resettlement colony of Delhi. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a resettlement colony of East Delhi among mothers with infants &lt;6 months of age. Mothers were enrolled from Anganwadi Centers using systematic random sampling, and a questionnaire was used to record information on feeding practices. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed. Results: The prevalence of the initiation of breastfeeding within 1 h of birth was 51.7%. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the factors which were found to be significantly associated were type of delivery (p&lt;0.005), place of delivery (p&lt;0.005), and advice on the initiation of breastfeeding at the time of delivery or postnatal period (p&lt;0.005). Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of the initiation of breastfeeding is better than the national average. It was higher in children born in government health institutions. This study suggests that the importance of the early initiation of breastfeeding should be emphasized during antenatal care visits through trained skilled health professionals in public and private health sector.

Book review: &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;The Illegal City: Space, Law and Gender in a Delhi Squatter Settlement&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;

Ayona Datta’s book works at the interstices of at least three significant bodies of literature in the social sciences. The first is a wealth of recent writing that has sought to theorize citizenship, class and exclusion in the informal city through ethnographic accounts of occupancies, insurgencies, stealthy advances, collective action and the politics of the urban poor (e.g., Bayat, 1997; Simone, 2004; Benjamin, 2008; Tarlo, 2003; Roy, 2003). The second is a body of literature on urban violence, focused largely on political, religious or communal mobilizations and their gendered dimensions (e.g., Hansen, 2001; Das, 2007). Third, a body of anthropological work has explored how law, development and the state operate to shape the subjectivities of everyday life in subaltern communities (Ferguson and Gupta, 2002; Li, 2007; Appadurai, 2001). Despite its rich referentiality, this book uncovers and illuminates a productive terrain of questions and relations that have remained underexplored in these bodies of literature. The book yields a plausible mapping of the ways that the structural violence embedded in the rule of law converges with the machineries of urban development to produce effects of insidious, intimate violence within the neighborhoods and homes of a squatter settlement. The material for this analysis is drawn from Datta’s ethnographic work in an illegal “camp” of squatters established in 1976 on the edges of a resettlement colony that she pseudo-names “Lakshmipur” in southern New Delhi. The book is framed around the “founding violence” of the right to property guaranteed as a fundamental right by the Indian Constitution, not matched by a similar guarantee for the right to shelter. Backed by the “maintaining violence” of interpretation, administration and enforcement by various arms of the state – police, judiciary and bureaucracy – this legal structure positions squatters permanently on the wrong side of the law. Thus, the category of the “illegal settlement” is produced by a complicity between the fetishism of property rights in law and the state’s upholding of property-based social relations under the rubric of a “rule of law”. The first part of the book sketches this backdrop, deploying a textured analysis of the violence of law, urban development and planning. It explores their structures, affiliations, categories and gaps in shaping the terrain of shelter rights in Indian cities. It outlines the disjuncture within law, between the Constitution and the state, and within the Constitution, between its enshrinement of property rights on the one hand and its channeling of entitlements to development resources via cultural identities of caste, tribe and religion on the other. Urban working-class squatters, rendered illegal by one part of the law, stake claims to justice via constitutional categories as lower caste or minority subjects. The book situates itself in a problematic of an emerging “culture of legality” in Indian cities, inaugurated by a moment of rupture in 2000, when the Almitra Patel judgement reflected a new convergence of law and judicial pronouncement, building up into what Derrida calls the “force of law”. This conjunctural moment reversed the precedent that had previously established shelter as a basic human right connected to the right to life. It served to criminalize squatting as trespassing and dismantled the state’s obligation to resettle evicted squatters. Datta’s central argument is that illegal urban settlements are also caught up in this culture of legalism. The shifts in the judicial and urban social ethos represented by the Almitra Patel judgement made legality, as distinct from formality or security, a central idiom in the way that settlements of the urban poor define themselves and are perceived by the state.