On the dawn-lit shores of Kollam, Baby’s morning unfolds with the familiar rhythm of his father’s fishing routine: steady and shaped by the sea’s unpredictability. But today, something is different. A festival fair stirs the coastal town awake, filling the air with aromas and anticipation. Memories of the past linger as the community gathers, and the day unravels into a poignant reflection of resilience. Can the spirit of the sea and society endure the tides of change?

India’s informal settlements are growing faster than its cities can cope. Born out of housing shortage, migration, and poor planning, sprawling slums face challenges of infrastructure, water, and health. From Sambalpur’s grassroots clinics to edible rooftops in Ahmednagar, communities are stepping in where the system falls short. But can these pockets of resilience become a solution for the deepening crisis of informal urban growth?

भारत की अनौपचारिक बस्तियां इतनी तेजी से बढ़ रही हैं कि शहर उनसे निपटने में असमर्थ हैं। आवास की कमी, पलायन और खराब योजना के कारण बन रही ये फैली हुई झुग्गियां बुनियादी ढांचे, पानी और स्वास्थ्य जैसी समस्याओं का सामना कर रही हैं। संभलपुर के जमीनी स्तर के क्लीनिक से लेकर अहमदनगर की खाने योग्य छतों तक, समुदाय वहीं कदम बढ़ा रहे हैं जहाँ सरकारी व्यवस्था कमजोर पड़ जाती है। लेकिन क्या ये संघर्षशील इलाके अनौपचारिक शहरी विस्तार के बढ़ते संकट का समाधान बन सकते हैं?

In Srirangapatna, a group of passionate volunteers is creating ripples of change in the story of reviving urban lakes. From historical conservation practices to citizen-led movements in cities like Coimbatore and Miyapur, these efforts show how communities are coming together to transform neglected waters into vital resources. In this wave of urban lake revitalisation, how are communities leading the way?

India generates over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, but most of it ends up in landfills. Despite national targets, source segregation remains low, and cities struggle with treating waste effectively. Yet, places like Alappuzha, Panaji, and Ambikapur showing the way with local solutions and community efforts. With rising waste and shrinking space, it’s clear that city-led innovation is the way forward.

In the heart of Gaya, a young girl’s innocent curiosity unearths stories of a city caught between past glory and present struggles. Through her grandmother’s eyes, woes of flooded streets, fading traditions, and hidden textile hubs come alive — painting a vivid picture of hope, loss, and resilience. Together, their heartfelt conversation reveals a city yearning to breathe again while nurturing the dreams of tomorrow.

When Shiva returns to Gorakhpur, the city of his childhood feels both familiar and foreign. Amid rapid urban changes and environmental neglect, he chooses action over despair, starting a solo cleanup mission that soon blossoms into a community movement. With the guidance of an elderly couple, the group breathes life back into their hometown, proving that revitalising a city’s soul is possible when passion, persistence, and purpose come together.

The power of citizen-led initiatives in smaller cities has recently gained significant attention. Citizens are driving change: be it Mohali's residents fighting for overdue maintenance works, or Chitlapakkam's community resolving last-mile connectivity through persistent efforts. However, challenges like bureaucratic hurdles, political influences, and resource limitations still persist. Will local communities overcome these barriers to influence lasting change in their cities

Tamil Nadu's ‘Friends of Library’ scheme is transforming public libraries by bringing books directly to neighborhoods. With just one library for every 80,000 urban residents, access to reading material remains limited. Could digital libraries be the solution to this challenge? And, is there room for more community spaces that promote learning and personal growth? The future of public libraries might look quite different.

Delhi’s 13th Pride Parade brought thousands together in a march for inclusion and a celebration of diversity. Yet beyond the colourful marches, how inclusive are Indian cities in practice? From Chennai’s pioneering steps to Kerala’s progressive policies, the push for LGBTQIA+ inclusion is gaining ground. As new indices shed light on workplace equality and urban inclusivity, are cities keeping pace with evolving societal expectations?

Imagine India as just 100 people: how many would own a phone, have electricity, or live in a city? This thought experiment uncovers surprising truths about inequality and everyday life. Inspired by global data visualisations, it’s a snapshot of India’s diverse realities, reminding us that numbers tell stories too. As the next Census approaches, what shifts will the new decade reveal?

Libraries are more than just collections of books; they’re vital community spaces. In India, however, urban libraries remain scarce, with one library serving 80,000 people on average. As cities grow, public libraries must evolve to foster lifelong learning and community engagement, by reimagining dynamic spaces for social interaction, creativity, and knowledge-sharing. Will investing in libraries help our cities become truly smart?

Bengaluru in 2050—will it be a city where green spaces reclaim the concrete, and every drop of water is valued? Can technology and tradition coexist in harmony, shaping a future where communities thrive together? What if equality and respect for nature aren’t just ideals, but everyday reality? This glimpse into tomorrow leaves you wondering: how close are we to making this dream come true?