Essential

This mural is part of a project called 'Essential', a collaboration between Fearless, Chintan and women from the ragpicker community in Delhi. Ragpickers often belong to minority communities, and women ragpickers face intersectional discrimination along the lines of gender, caste, class, religion, and occupation.

Many were severely affected by lockdown measures and treated as if they themselves were disposable. Through this tribute, we hope to dispel the stigmatic notion that their work is ‘lesser’ or ‘inessential’ by coming together with the women to articulate: ""How are you essential?"" and affirm their lived experiences, the dignity of life and labour, and their essential role in regenerating urban spaces. It is a token of gratitude to their efforts, likening their role to no less than that of alchemists who churn disposable waste into new matter.