Fourteen-year-old Mumtaz lives in Alimuddin Street, one of Kolkata’s most challenging and congested neighbourhoods. The area is marked by political unrest, rising substance abuse, and criminal activity. Despite these obstacles, Mumtaz is determined to pursue her education and make her dream of becoming a police officer a reality.

Mumtaz was born into a poor family without a permanent home. Her family initially lived in Rajabazar with her father’s relatives, but after a series of family disputes, they were forced to leave. Her grandmother’s rented house in Alimuddin Street became their new home. Although the neighbourhood is infamous for its political clashes, drug addiction, and criminal activities, Mumtaz’s family made it their permanent residence.

Tragedy struck when Mumtaz’s grandmother passed away three years ago. Since then, there have been tensions within the family over the ownership of the house. Her father, who once worked as a roadside vegetable vendor, faced multiple setbacks in his career. He briefly worked as a butcher until local regulations shut down his business, and a stint in a restaurant ended abruptly. Currently, he sells seasonal fruits to support his family.

Financial pressures mounted when Mumtaz’s brother took out a loan to start a business that ultimately failed. To repay the loan, the family had to mortgage their precious gold jewellery. Despite these hardships, Mumtaz’s parents have always prioritised her education.

Mumtaz is enrolled at the Pavement Club Project, which has been an essential support system for her and her family. The project ensures that she receives regular educational support, including school textbooks, uniforms, shoes, bags, and essential stationery. During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project also provided dry food supplies and ensured that Mumtaz’s family had access to necessary food rations.

Additionally, the project has offered character-building training sessions to the children and has recently appointed a Maths and Science teacher to support the overall educational needs of all the children in the project. This ensures that students, including Mumtaz, receive the attention and guidance they need to excel in their studies.

Despite the daily challenges, Mumtaz remains focused on her education. She dreams of becoming a police officer and serving her community. She is determined to overcome the obstacles in her path and is committed to investing every bit of her passion into her studies to achieve her goal.