The young barefoot researchers are children of Dalit migrants from Marathwada region of Maharashtra. All these researchers were living in Shramjivi Nagar of Chembur in Mumbai. None of these young researchers have completed their secondary level of education. At the time when the study was conducted all were working as sweepers on contract with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).
The study wanted to explore the lives of Dalit migrants who came to Mumbai from Marathwada following the drought in Maharashtra. The study has been divided into three parts. The first part explores the reason for this community to migrate to Mumbai. The second part traces how these people, after arriving in Mumbai settled down. The final part evaluates their present condition in the city of Mumbai and explored what were the aspirations of these people.