Page 25 - XITE Magazine 2021

Annual Magazine

Vanila Joseph
The Predicament of the BBA, Sem. I
The Predicament of the
The Predicament of the

Migrant Labourers
Migrant Labourers
Migrant Labourers
Ravi Mahato
BBA, Sem. I

As we all know, the world is going through a crisis caused by covid19. Every country is striving to do its utmost
to restraint the pandemic. India has long acknowledged its difficulties and responded by taking the required
steps to battle this particular adversary.
In this article we want to talk about the state of migrant workers who had been extremely afflicted by the
imposition of lockdown in the country. There are 65 million interstate migrants and 33% of these migrants
workers are daily wage labourers. Their story, therefore, demands a place of its own. Most of the labourers are
poverty stricken, come from a tyrannized society and do menial jobs. During the lockdown, they were forced to
go back to their native places in search for alternative sources of sustenance. However, with a complete shut-
down of the transport system, an exodus proved to be the most difficult of circumstances. Our very reflection is
on how much they walked! They were frictionless tugged towards the direction of their homes. Enforced to
walk barefooted far on the coarse express way, these humans were racking with pain. Children tried in vain to
walk fast in order to catch up with their parents. Often, one would see a young little infant not perfectly
balanced in the arms of their mother, bawling his head off in hunger. Trudging with the bags and sacks on their
heads, was walking mouths covered with their Sari's pallu. Families were walking in groups formed according
to their desired destinations. There were no leaders to lead the group or any kind of instructions but still it was
the most organized walk comparable to the synchronic consequence of a shoal of fish. In their minds were
several thoughts, with the thought of “stopping to rest” not getting a chance at all! Their annoyance was not
due to the exhaustion of walking for so long or so far, but simply because their slippers were not meant to be
walked so much.

We would like to conclude with a poem.
The baby shedded blood not tears

Enrooted;
The arrogance of miles broke into pieces when someone covered them bare footed;

Curse got depressed after watching the cure being muted.
They want to tie death the friendship band

But death was ashamed to give them a hand.

Life is good but sometimes death is the better brand.
That's life and that's his ultimate plan…

Volume-VIII, 2020 23