Even within the country, vast migrations occur throughout the year. The COVID-19 lockdown exposed the reality of millions of workers from economically disadvantaged areas such as Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand hills, Bengal, and the northeastern states migrating to Punjab, Gujarat, and the southern states for employment. As we have ‘progressed’ from an agrarian to a capitalist state, regional xenophobia and self-interest have increased, making the distinction between ‘ours’ and ‘strangers’ more pronounced.
https://thewire.in/world/the-excludable-aliens-the-complex-landscape-of-modern-migration
Regional leaders contesting elections have weaponised it further. In Maharashtra, hostile comments have been made about ‘bhaiyas’ stealing jobs from the Marathi ‘manoos’, and in the east, several leaders have described groups suspected of illegally migrating from Bangladesh as ‘termites’, despite data showing a larger migration toward Bangladesh.
Migrations today may be due to poverty and natural calamities but they are more of a demographic bulimia eroding overpopulated lands. Once upon a time, there was great anxiety about ‘brain drain’. One scarcely hears the word today. Those who are poor and less skilled can leave, thank you very much. Just turn off the lights as you leave! The affluent have no problem with the graduates leaving the country. Capital has torn down many erstwhile barriers to its flow. At the top of the new global work pyramid, Indian corporate or representatives of mega global companies now stride the seas at will and work across continents with a smaller, highly skilled contractual staff.
07/01/2024