Internal Migration, A Peculiar Problem in India!

When we look around our metropolitan cities we find lots of slums and as citizens we feel that they are tarnishing the real beauty of our surroundings. But have you ever given a thought that why the number of slums in our country are rapidly increasing?

One of the prime reason behind it is internal migration in the country. It refers to the movement that people make within the country from their native place to another city.

According to the statistics, three out every ten Indians migrate from their native place to other cities. There could be many reasons for it but the most common ones are:

• In search of good occupation opportunities
• To pursue higher education
• Marriage

Although, marriage is the largest contributor for internal migration in our country but maximum adults in our country migrate in search of good employment opportunities.

Maximum number of migrants come from the states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and mostly land up in metropolitan cities. The main reason behind it is lack of infrastructure and opportunities in their own native towns.

As a result they are left with no option but to migrate from their native places even if they don’t want to.

“I am from a small village of Bihar, my parents wanted me to pursue higher studies but my village doesn’t provide me that opportunity as it has limited number of schools. I did not want to leave my native place but I did”, says a mass communication student, Rajat, Delhi.

Every developing Nation goes through the process of internal migration but how the government of the Nation handles it determines the outcome as the process brings along a lot of consequences with it.

“I am pulling rickshaw in Delhi for the last 10 years, I came here with a dream that I would earn a handsome amount but when I came here the scenario was totally different and now I am stuck. I can’t return to my native place. People here in Delhi make us feel like outsiders and therefore I am forced to live a miserable life, says Ramanuj, a Rickshaw Puller.

“If we would get ample resources there in our own native place why would we migrate? Nobody wants to actually move as it is difficult to settle in another city and live without our families”, says Sameer 26 year old from Chhattisgarh working in Delhi.

This brings a feeling of displacement for the people who are migrants in their own country and also widening the gap between segments of society in urban areas.

Yes, it is a peculiar problem and needs an urgent solution so, that it doesn’t seep deeper in the roots of our country’s system creating additional problems.

The problems discussed above are just a part of the myriad consequences that occur as a result of internal migration. The cause and effect of such a system need to be looked at carefully, and the other problems that may arise should also be considered.