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the situation for themselves, and then to
think through it. For me, what was most
perplexing was to be informed that all the
data (and there is tons of it) is actually
derived from other studies and surveys,
and that there has not been a single
government-funded survey solely aimed
at accessing the housing needs in the
country. The fact that housing depends
on the most expensive commodity, i.e.
land, also complicates the issue further.
It is obvious that there are other socio-
political problems on multiple levels, but
what disturbs one the most is that at no
point, has there been an approach keeping
in mind the overall well-being of the
intended inhabitants.
What the exhibition provides beauti-
fully is a glimpse of urban and rural India
through the lens of its housing situation.
It gives us information that would otherwi-
se be inaccessible but also leaves us with
questions, which as citizens of this
country, we should consider.