Right at the beginning of his just released book, author-journalist Radheshyam Jadhav tells us the story of Owais, a resident of Dharavi, who suffers from drug-resistant tuberculosis. Owais, who is also HIV positive, relays his battle with the disease to activist Chapal Mehra. A migrant from Bihar, he made Mumbai his home many decades ago. He used to work as a tailor, but no longer has the energy to do anything. Speaking haltingly, he asks Mehra, “Why doesn’t anyone care?”

We should.