#Migrant-workers #Inter-state

Rather than talking and discussing on your Sofa / Couch , How can YOU help #migrant workers, though I still wonder how they can be a #Migrant in their #OwnCountry ?

The total number of #internalmigrants in India are 50 crore people, which roughly translates to 37% of the countries population. This includes #interstate migrant workers as well as migrants within each state.

Who are migrant workers?

First: Those who #wilfully leave their State/ country due to lack of opportunities, to become part of a higher wage group and a better life.

Second: Those who are #forced to leave the State because of dwindling opportunities, rise of #poverty and #terror in their home state.

Where do they come from?

The estimated reports suggest that #UttarPradesh and #Bihar account for the origin of 25 per cent and 14 per cent of the total inter-state migrants. This is followed by #Rajasthan and #MadhyaPradesh, at 6 per cent and 5 per cent.

What do they earn?

As per the ‘Politics and Society Between Elections Survey’ the household income of 22% daily and weekly wagers is up to Rs 2,000; 32%, between Rs 2,000 and 5,000; 25%, between 5,000 and 10,000; 13%, between Rs 10,000 and 20,000; and of 8%, more than Rs 20,000.

A CSDS survey during the recent #DelhiAssemblyelections also found that 20% of respondents reported their monthly household income to be less than Rs 10,000/-

My story:

I migrated from Bihar in 1994, due to the lack of job opportunities I started #tutoring children for a monthly income of Rs 500/-

My brother started his career as an #accountant in Gorakhpur with meger income of Rs 1000/- month.

I know many more such people like this who have created their mark while they came with nothing in their hand and migrated to a bigger City.

The journey wasn’t easy, coming from a #lowerincomebackground, basic #Hindimedium education, it’s taken a lot of dedicated effort to get where we are.

Today, If I were to #countmyblessings, I would remember all the wonderful people I met in my journey that choose to see me for what I could do rather than where I came from. I’ve strived to do the same all my life.

I’m narrating this as I #empathise with the migrant workers.

Now coming to how you and I can help them:

1. #Compensate them well - some of the most essential migrant worker groups in our country (sewage cleaners, coolies etc) live under the most difficult circumstances and earn some of the lowest income.

2. #Educate their children - Often the children of migrant workers start working at early ages due to lack of educational funds. You and I can help their next generation by introducing them to a world their parents have never seen.

3. #Upskilling migrant workers - The next time you interact with an unskilled migrant worker, ask them if they what their ideal life looks like (you’ll be surprised how little they need) offer to upskill them, perhaps ask if they would like to learn to drive a car, do deliveries, learn the computer, wash your car(anything at all) Milind Chandwani 4. Let’s not encourage the #communal divide - it’s saddening that the #Hindu, #Muslim divide(that was in its way to diminish at one point) is now at a constant high. But that’s a more recent story - because many parts of India were always divided into upper casts and lower casts. The communal divide causes more damage than meets the eye (voting for the wrong politician, increased terror in parts of the country etc). We must strive to act and spread the message of #harmonious, #peaceful living and NOT #encourage any form of divide at any level.

Whilst our #government strives to help us with law and order, water and electricity, safety, and protection. Let us come #together to help one another #grow. We can all contribute in our own little way, I hope this article #inspires some of us.