My father had one elder brother. They both shifted from Banaras to Mumbai in search of work some 30 years ago, and we lived in a 150 sq. ft. one-room chawl. My uncle had a daughter who was 4 years older than me. We lived together until 10 years ago, after which Bade Papa shifted to another chawl.

People living in Mumbai know very well how a 150 sq. ft. room is used: a 3 x 4 foot bathroom tagged alongside is a platform that serves as a kitchen; an iron bed on one side of the wall serves as a bedroom; and a sofa along the other wall serves as the living room.