Barun Kr. Das, The Bengal News, Kolkata, India : On a cold winter night along Park Street, one of Kolkata’s busiest and most brightly lit thoroughfares, a mother sleeps on the pavement with her young child wrapped beside her in a single blanket. In front of them, two pairs of slippers are placed neatly on the ground—one worn, the other small and bright, suggesting the presence of a child. The arrangement stands in quiet contrast to the surrounding scene of illuminated shopfronts, passing vehicles and late-night foot traffic.

_{^{A mother sleeps on the pavement with her young child / Photo : Sudip Chanda}}

Park Street is widely regarded as a symbol of Kolkata’s urban life and cultural vibrancy. Yet scenes like this unfold nightly along its pavements, largely unnoticed amid the movement and noise of the city.
The woman’s posture remains protective, her body turned toward the child as the winter air settles in. There is no visible shelter beyond the blanket they share. For many families living on the streets, such nights are a routine part of survival during colder months.
According to social welfare groups, seasonal drops in temperature disproportionately affect those without permanent housing, particularly women and children. Despite this, access to adequate night shelters remains limited in several urban areas.
The image captures a moment of stillness within a city in motion—highlighting the contrast between urban prosperity and the quieter realities that exist alongside it.
It is a reminder that even in streets known for celebration and commerce, lives continue in fragile balance, sustained by care, resilience and quiet endurance.