MIGRATION OF INDIAN POPULATION TO OTHER COUNTRIES; A SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE *

(The article is based on personal observations, review of literature and informal interview and discussions with the people who have migrated outside India and their relatives who are in India . The purpose of the article is to document reasons of MIGRATION and its effects on the lives of people .

Birds and animals migrate from one place, city and country to other in search of food, suitable climate and environment to survive .In the same way worldwide there has been migration of population from one place to another. In India , young population migrate from all economic strata to other places in search of job, better living and health facilities ,education of their children and to avoid hardships . A trend has been observed among rural and tribal population that initially young boys / men migrate to metropolitan cities / urban and semi urban cities for livelihood. Once they settle in a city, gradually they invite younger siblings, wife and other family members and also distant relatives and friends. In majority of the cases the main reason of migration from rural and tribal areas is lack of job opportunities in their areas .Though in India now situation is changing to a large extent.

Similarly, young people from different economic strata migrate to other countries from India and vice a versa. Many countries welcome Indians as they are considered to be hard working , intelligent and innovative, perfectly skilled, educated ,sincere, adjustable, physical and emotionally fit. People from different economic strata migrate to different countries according to their profile and job requirements.The most favoured countries are United States of America (USA ) ,Germany , Canada ,Turkey ,Russian federation , United kingdom (UK),Saudi Arabia ,Italy, Australia ,South Africa, Singapore and New Zealand .Different economic levels migrate to different countries. The most popular areas are construction, manufacturing, retail, health care, electronics, electrical, education, and science and IT.

THE MAINREASONS OF MIGRATION :

The common reasons of going abroad are for training ,education and for better job opportunities. Once people get adjusted ,they settle there only and don’t want to come out of their comfort zone. The other important reason is pull and push factor. A person whomigrates to other country encourages other family members, relatives also to migrate for social support. On the other side, many times relatives in India also encourage. It has also become a fashion now. Another interesting factor is "when everyone is going why not me, let me give a try and live for some time in other country". Besides these, some other factors are as follows;

Remaining indoors for a very long period without proper and adequate activities may lead to;

1. As believed by some people the quality and standard of education in some foreign countries is better and many educational /training courses are less costly . Initially students who go for training / higher education also get married to an Indian or of Indian origin or a person of any other country .Once they raise family they finally settle there.
2. It has been observed that some young children in India admire and get fascinated by the confidence , attitude , behaviour , style , high quality clothes of their foreign family members , relatives and friends . They observe that these people from the childhood who sometimes get more respect and importance in society and this remains in the back of their mind.
3. People go for better employment opportunities,for better living standards and infrastructure,regular supply of light and water , less congestion on streets , smooth traffic , cleanliness , less pollution ,Clear-cut rules and better systems, law and order and sufficient open space for movement as population is less.
4. In some cases , young people are not able to adjust with family rituals and traditions ,customs and binding of their family and community especially after gaining higher education and living independently either during higher education or during service . They want freedom, independence, and peaceful life without any politics and interference, conflict and hardships .Inability to handle people , lack of social skills is also one of the reasons of running away from the families. Some don't want to share their elders/ parents / in-laws responsibilities, their illness etc.
5. Work life balance; Some Peoplesettled abroad believe that even if they are working at higher posts, they can manage sufficient time for themselves , for personal care , hobbies and for outdoor and social life.
6. Another main attraction to people is that some countries provide social security , free health care to people especially to unemployed and senior citizens.(In India also a lot of emphasis is being given on this aspect).
7. Sometimes girls get married to a person who is already settled in other county.
8. Some feel, there is better quality of eatables, fruits, vegetables, clothes and other items. Food is kept in hygienic conditions and one gets value for her / his money that is paid.
9. Many a time they are comfortable as they feel people come forward for help. No differentiation between people from different places.
10. Sometimes senior parents do not want their adult children to stay with them, may be due to their to own freedom or / and an apprehension of exploitation by their children in terms of finances and physical services.

AFFECTS OF GOING ABROAD ON THE PEOPLE;

By and large people who are settled abroad are more confident, self-reliant and generally happy. It has been observed that in a few cases there is psychological and social pressure on migrated people both from the people of their native country as well from the place where they live. Sometimes guilt of leaving their own country and family members especially the aging parents bothers them. There is a conflict about which place they actually belong to. They also face some hardship due to comparatively expensive labour. As they have to do all the household work like cleaning , cooking ,washing , ironing , and also driving themselves. Sometimes plumbing work, wall painting and carpentry is also done by themselves to save money .In India help for these tasks can be hired at reasonable rates . It increases their work load but people learn to appreciate dignity of labour.

Do Majority Of People Come Back?

1. Many people who left in early sixties wanted to come back, some even came back but could not adjust due to changes in the situations. Many did not feel same warmth from their relatives and other people so they returned back. Their mind and heart still remains with India. They keep a track and follow all the latest developments that happen.
2. Some people want to come back to India but are not able due to their children’s education and their own lucrative jobs.
3. It has been observed that a few people settled overseas used to come to India for months, but slowly decreased their frequency due to age factor, depleting energy levels, inconvenience and conflict with people.
4. On the other hand many people ensure that they come to India regularly for family functions and for other rituals to remain in touch for the benefit of their children . They prefer shopping from India and take Indian crafts and gifts back for their friends. Indian dresses / costumes are becoming very popular among young people among foreigners also.
5. Some young students studying abroad choose their research projects and other assignments especially in India and stay for months together.

PARENTS WHO GO ABROAD; REASONS AND IMPACT;

Most of the Younger generation settled abroad feels a sense of responsibility towards their parents but find it difficult to come back in Indiato settle here permanently. They want their parents to come to them off and on . In majority of the cases the reasons are love and affection from both the sides , parents missing their children and grand children ,boredom at home , have nothing new and exciting and no work after retirement for parents . Another factor is social pressure by relatives and friends (“why are younot going to meet your children” is the common question being asked to parents) .Visitingchildren settled abroad gives good opportunity to parents and relatives to see different places which otherwise is not possible for a working middle class family. Usually, economically well off children sponsor their parents, arrange for their travels and other trips.

Many times parents /elders of the family visit them to take care of their grand children in the initial stages. Many parents don’t feel very comfortable outside as they don’t find people to talk to , there is a cultural and language barrier and they find it difficult to make friends . Sometimes elders don’t feel at ease at their children’s home due to inability/ difficulty to operate electronic gadgets and have to depend on them for visiting market and other places. Medical care is expensive and parents who don’t have medical and health insurances find difficult to bear. In many cases parents are not welcomed by their children as they find hindrance in their privacy and freedom.

In India majority of families of middle class are able to hire/ afford domestic help to clean kitchen utensils , do cooking , household cleaning , washing etc but in many countries when parents visit, they have to do everything themselves to help in family chorus. So sometimes it becomes quite strenuous, tiring and frustrating for them. The fact that many countries have restrictions and control on celebrating festivals other than their countries outside homes and this depresses many people. It has been observed that initially parents try to visit regularly but with time, ageing and depleting energies they find it difficult to travel alone,they slowly reduce frequency of trips and finally stop visiting their children .But there are cases where parents do take citizenship in other countries where their children are settled.

INDIANS SETTLED OUTSIDE; WHAT THEY MISS ABOUT INDIA ;

Although people who are settled abroad for long period are able to manage all types of physical comforts and luxuries for themselves, have good financial standing , total independency , still they miss many things .They miss Indian authentic cuisine, variety of weathers / and seasons , love and affection and concern of the families and friends, celebrations of Indian festivals and functions . Many think that in India the society is close knit and people have concern / respect for elders. They sometimes feel loneliness. Many times there is no one to ask your whereabouts. Lately people living overseas are impressed with the positive changes, growth and development that is taking place in India in all the fields.

CHANGES THAT CAN BE SEEN IN PEOPLE SETTLED OVERSEAS;

Movement of people from one country to another in this period of Globalisation also has a positive impact on the lives of people, Institutions society as a whole and the concerned countries. Exposure to other places ,travelling experiences and achievements enhances and boosts self-confidence, enhances status and reputation of the person. For the individuals there they get experience of various cultures and traditions and there is an increase in the knowledge and awareness in general. People who migrate to other countries get benefits of both the places. Professionals learn latest technology and latest know how. As there is economic enhancement of majority of migratory people, spending capacity increases, they spend more on themselves and there is overall improvement in their life style.

IMPACT OF MIGRATION ON ECONOMY – Remittance in flow

Migration to some extent reduces unemployment and under employment pressures. A considerable number of people who find jobs overseas are also generating large flows of remittances. Money is sent backand is spent on improved housing, nutrition, schooling and health care of other family members.

BACK HOME IN FAMILIES OF MIGRATORY POPULATION ;

Although Indian society is considered to be a close knit society, changes are seen in family relationships with the changing times. People do get emotional and social support from other relatives still many parents initially feel loneliness after their children go for better prospects. They constantly think about their children / grand children as they are emotionally bonded to them. Gradually parents learn to stay independently and do adjust with time. Bonding remains in those families where there are regular visits of the children. Many times after certain age parents don’t want to visit due to travel exertion and lack of confidence of travelling alone. Another dimension is growth of India in many fields and many facilities are being provided to senior citizens so living in India is becoming an attraction to them .Special concessions and care by central and state governments are given to senior citizens under social security programmes .Senior citizen groups are formed and special attention is given by police. Hospitals are made senior citizens friendly .A lot of work is being done in the area of employment indifferent fields like education ,training and skill development , sports , health , hygiene , infrastructure , social security , science and technology.

  *NIRMAL TIKKU, Ex Deputy Director , NIPCCD , October 2020