Rural Migrants in the City

Photo Courtesy: Travelphotographer

The  megacity of Kolkata had witnessed migration from neighbouring states like Jharkhand and Bihar.

Abstract: Rural migrants in urban India contribute to economic growth and development. Yet, they remain marginalised and are particularly vulnerable in certain contexts. It is argued that migrants’ contribution to economic and national development be acknowledged and inclusive policies that support migrants’ right to the city, decent work and dignity be in place.

The author is Assistant Professor of Development Studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. datta.amrita@gmail.com. The article should be cited as Datta A., 2019. Rural Migrants in the City, Geography and You, 19(27): 18-23


Term Power

What is ...

According to the International Organisation of Migration, emigration is defined from the perspective of the country of departure—the act of moving from one's usual residence to another country so that the country of destination effectively becomes his or her usual residence.

A cycle of migration by the same person between two or more countries is known as circular migration. It is temporary in nature and mainly undertaken for study or work.

Deportation is an act to force someone to leave a country, especially someone who has no legal right to be there or who has broken the law.

Repatriation is a personal right of a refugee or prisoner of war to return to their country of nationality under specific conditions laid down in various international and human rights instruments as well as in customary international law.

Diaspora is a large group of people with a similar heritage or homeland who have moved out to places and countries all over the world.

A cross border and internal monetary transfer by the migrants remittances are primarily personal money transfer or business payments. The term ‘remittance’ is derived from the word ‘remit’, which means ‘to send back’. Remittance refers to an amount of money transferred or sent from one party to another, usually overseas.