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Migratory Working Population of Urban Cities; An Analysis*

(The present article is based on personal experiences, observations and review of literature of skilled, semiskilled / unskilled migratory population of Delhi / NCR ( National Capital Region ) working both in organised / unorganised sectors who had migrated from rural or tribal villages and small towns of different regions from all over India in the last 40-50 years. Their next generation of some was born and brought up in Delhi / NCR. Some people from the neighbouring county were also studied).

Introduction Migration is a common and complex phenomenon. People migrate from one region to another, on country to another, one State to another State and from one city to another city. In India during sixties, as women became more educated and trained in different fields, they started going out for employment. There was a sharp increase in the income of the middle working class which was originally either from the capital /NCR, or had come after the partition and settled here. Some also got migrated from other regions of the country mainly for employment. With the growing income, people started having better life style, owning big houses, purchasing more equipment and gadgets for convenience, comforts and to save time . Families needed some help for household work, be it cooking and cleaning, washing, ironing and looking after children and senior people who needed care at homes mainly in the absence of women who were out of homes for work. So helps came forward from the young men and women, mostly from women belonging to lower economic strata, many of whom had migrated from other States/UTs looking for employment to run their families .

Objectives of the Article; is broadly to study sociological, cultural and economic perspective of the migratory population.

The article is to understand growth and progress of migratory population over the years; to study their life style; to understand contributions they make in the growth of city/NCR; to study challenges they face; to document good practices / points that may be given thought by Middle Class / Upper middle class people for improvement of their lives.

Reasons And Process of Migration; Some of the factors that caused migration during earlier times were; Economic / financial, lack of employment in their villages / towns , lack of basic and quality educational and training facilities in their area , attraction of developed cities , life style of people living in cities ,bad environment in their homes and villages , boredom and lack of entertainment facilities in their areas, exploitation and harassment in homes by family members or by other people.

Other reasons could be hardships they faced like water scarcity, frequent floods, draughts and famine , unbearable weather /climate and other natural calamities ,riots or communal problems. In some cases people come to city to provide help to their relatives and friends. A few are lured by close relatives or other persons. Some people also get job assurance by relatives who are already working in cities even though situation in villages is improving now .People who migrate from rural / tribal / towns are mainly marginal and landless farmers, jobless people and people from weaker and deprived sections of the society. Once settled, most of them bring their families to cities. Some of them, almost spend their whole life alone in cities, away from their native homes, without their families but they support them economically. Back in the native places, only older people and sometimes women and children are left. This sometimes disturbs social structure of their villages/ towns. Many people living in cities visit their villages / towns/ cities annually or on important occasions/ events like death, marriages and festivals and during harvesting season.

Occupation/Professions Undertaken; They have been working at all levels depending upon their education and training, skills ,capacity / calibre , willingness to take challenges and circumstances and opportunities available. Some fields are schools / colleges / academic institutions, play and nursery schools, small and big business houses, vegetable and fruits vendors , barbour / hair dresser and stylists , cooks / chefs , gardeners, florists, snack sellers, security personnel / guards, home helpers and attendants , tailors /dress designers ,henna (mehndi appliers), tattoo artists, sales man in outlets in malls and other shops, medical and paramedical attendants in hospitals and homes, plant nurseries, beauty parlours / fitness and health centres ,food industry, entertainment industry ,offices of central and state governments, semi state governments and private offices. The list is endless.

Many fortunate employees are lucky to have progressive, efficient, ambitious , good and generous employers. In many cases employers’ growth also leads to their growth. There are employers who take good care of their workers and also their families. Besides giving reasonable salary they guide them on various issues, inculcate in them the habit of savings through various schemes. Some even help workers financially and otherwise in times of need.

Changes in Cities And In Their Lives; Migrants add to City's Energy and Drive. People from different regions bring their culture and traditions and learns from other communities. Relatives of migrant workers come from their respective villages and towns to Delhi /NCR on social visits, for shopping, for travel and tours .Patients also come to avail advance medical treatments. However, this adds to extra financial and physical burden on the migrant families living in cities.

After working for many years in almost regular capacity, many families have progressed, live a good decent satisfactory life , possess their own house(s) , have basic essentials and luxuries like refrigerator, micro , geyser, heater /blower, inverter ,fans, coolers, air conditioners, television, laptops, mobiles, washing machines, furniture, transport vehicle etc. They also have their own bank accounts and reasonably handsome savings . Many have health and life insurances. They avail government’s entitled subsidies and benefits. Children get good education and training and many of them have reached to higher positions. For entertainment they go to movies, amusement parks, historical and religious places. Wherever possible they help their extended families/ relatives and other people of their community financially and in other ways . It has been observed that most of them are deeply rooted to their culture. In general it can be said that there has been positive changes in their lives .

In some cases, where they have been working with the same organisation for decades they help in its growth (directly or indirectly). A few qualities observed in some of this population is, they speak without fear, do not hesitate to stand with truth ,are friendly , open minded , hard working , selfless , and would not bow down to their rights and self respect that makes them different from other people . They show sensitivity while addressing their members from the community be it men , women , children , have clear objective in life, celebrate traditions and customs and are more genuine and religious. By and large hardships for survival has made many of them more skilled, multiskilled and successful. They give emphasis to the life skills which are equally important to live a successful life.

As they bring cultural diversity in the cities, it is said that Delhi/NCR has become a Mini India .They are the backbone of the Cities.

Difficulties and Challenges Being Faced; For some people, living conditions are not very conducive. people residing in unauthorized colonies sometimes face number of problems like living in congested and cramped area (many family members living in small rooms), poorly constructed houses, water scarcity, inadequate toilet facilities, erratic electricity supply, transport problems, antisocial elements, alcoholism/ drug menace , theft/pick pocketers/ gambling. Women’s and children’s safety is also sometimes a problem .Returning home after odd working hours becomes a cause of tension and stress for some. Life style depends on the economic conditions, salary / emoluments they get, nature and type of employer, job security, working conditions , surroundings and environment of place where they live, distance and transport facility etc. Most of them live a simple and dignified life. In present times , due to exposure to social media, and effect of advertisements on radio and television as well due to print media, their expectations, aspirations and desires are increasing. This causes imbalance in their lives due to limited resources of income on one hand and extra expenditure and extravaganza on the other. It is felt by some that although cities give them livelihood ,takes away their soul. Many miss affinity of their dear ones, open fields, greenery, fresh air, fresh vegetables and fruits of their native places .

Some people living nearby Delhi /NCR region have a temporary home in city. They stay in cities during working days of the week and go back to their homes on weekends. A few commute daily by road / train and other transport from neighbouring areas where their families live. Though they are also exposed to and get attracted to a high life styles and other aspects of city life which may not be within their reach, still they try to maintain discipline, honesty, patience, tolerance and other basic values.

General Observations and Learning;

People should keep on learning and upgrading their skills. Many tasks can be learnt simultaneously. Children should be taught all minimum basic skills required for survival like cooking, washing, cleaning in addition to providing formal education and professional skills. Nature can be very unpredictable as was seen during the covid pandemic. Confidence, fearlessness is must for survival and mastery in multiple skills helps face challenges of life more easily.
Communication with people, particularly with own people at regular intervals is must. Helping and sharing both happiness and sorrow is necessary for mental health. People that share happiness and sorrow have less loneliness and mental disorders.
Feel every moment and enjoy, whatever nature and circumstances offer.
Save money for future, however little it be.
Children are the greatest assets. They should be provided proper care, love, affection and good education. Give importance to each stage of life and guide towards timely study, work, marriage and having children to avoid problems.
Respect for food is must. Spend required time to eat meals. Even simple meals can be enjoyable.
Help people within ones limits Selfishness and egoism makes one unhappy in the end..
Give time to your family, relatives, close friends (whenever possible).
Life can also be enjoyable with minimum materialistic things .One does not need to have , big houses, expensive and branded clothes ,expensive high tech gadgets and trendy costly furniture, luxury cars and outings to expensive places to enjoy life. Inexpensive things and small simple activities can also be enjoyable. This factor was felt by many during covid pandemic.
Culture and traditions can be preserved along with modernisation while keeping self respect intact.

*NIRMAL TIKKU, Ex Deputy Director , NIPCCD , July 2023