How mass exodus from cities will hurt India The Statesman 31 Mar 2020
https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2615087/Kolkata-The-Statesman/31ST-MARCH-2020#page/7/2
How mass exodus from cities will hurt India 31 Mar 2020
What began as a trickle ended as a flow. The exodus of migrant workers from Delhi, thousands and thousands of them rushed to leave the city, fearing for their lives, worried, insecure and uncertain on their future. While many would have been daily wage earners, some had fixed jobs. This also happens to be the harvest season when migrants would seek to return home to join family members in harvesting their small holdings.
However a mass exodus, despite a collection of promises, including from the Prime Minister himself, on protection of salaries, availability of rations and release of funds direct into their accounts, could not have occurred naturally but would have been fuelled by rumours followed by pressure from some quarters. Exodus from one city was the start of similar activities from other major cities too.
In either case the exodus was damaging. Whether it would lead to a nationwide spread of the pandemic or be the commencement of stage 3 or be contained remains to be seen. What it would do is damage the economy of Delhi for a long time. These were silent workers behind the booming of Delhi’s construction, manufacturing, catering, personal services and shopping markets. Once back in villages there would be no immediate desire to return, even if restrictions are lifted and normalcy appears. Movement back would be slow as uncertainty would remain in their hearts. Their speed of return would be a trickle as compared to the flow of exodus.
The services and industries in cities from where workers have left will remain silent for some time, even after restoration of the situation, as those working behind the scenes for its prosperity are missing. Delhi’s economy including meeting daily needs of its mass populace would be hampered for a long time.
The announcement of the lock down may have created rumours indicating uncertainty and possible joblessness for a prolonged duration, but it was evidently fuelled by media broadcasters, who devoted hours of prime time interviewing those migrating, conveying their logic and shrieking to the government to provide them support including food, shelter and transport. This resulted in even fence sitters joining and changing a small movement into an exodus.
A responsible media should have, on the other hand, countered the migrants in their interviews that a rushed action is detrimental to the nation, themselves and the state would cater for their needs. They should also have been advised to remain at home till the lifting of the lockdown as transport would then be available. The media should have assisted a confused migrant by giving the right advice. Even if few channels had taken this action, there would have been a stem in their migration.
Interestingly, most members of the media who were involved in these interviews were not ill-informed journalists but well-established media personalities and by acting irresponsibly, they have caused damage to society and the nation, rather than assisted the migrating public. They have aided the spread of the virus instead of backing government efforts to stem it.
The media would seek to justify its actions by stating it was doing its duty and warning the state but has in fact damaged the health of the nation, its economy and its structure, solely for TRPs or to gain enhanced viewership on their personal YouTube channels. It’s irresponsible reporting would lead to more uncertainty not just in cities but even in villages, which were till recently unaffected by the virus. The economy in villages would also be adversely impacted as their income was fuelled by inflow from these migrants.
Migration from Delhi led to similar actions from other metropolitan cities. The damage to national economy and health would be high.
On the virus front, a vast movement from cities outwards could result in its spread into regions which were till date unaffected. A mass movement and none carrying strains of the virus is almost an impossibility. The crowds were in such large numbers that it was beyond the capability of the administration to conduct basic medical checks and enforce social distancing.
States from where the migration commenced should have acted fact and addressed concerns of migrating workers by having political leaders come on TV channels as also interact with migrating workers. Their silence conveys laxity and carelessness.
It is possible that within a few days most migrants would have reached their destinations, despite the centre passing directions on closing inter-state, city and inter-district boundaries as also housing, feeding and financially supporting the workers. They would continue moving despite all restrictions as fear would dominate thoughts.
In villages the power and authority wielded by sarpanches and elders is high. They would have inputs of those who have returned from cities as part of this migration. This will enable district authorities to conduct medical checks, village by village, with the cooperation of the village elders. Hence, if correctly acted upon, any damage caused by the mass migration may be mitigated.
These is no doubt that the media was reckless, acted in haste and displayed immaturity instead of understanding the dynamics of the situation and joining hands to reverse a damaging movement. It sought to seek its own financial benefits rather than national health and interest. If the media was seeking to invoke national sympathy, it was wrong. Had they attempted to convince migrants on their wrong perception they would have been true nationalists.
An economic setback awaits the nation especially with non-availability of work force even when the pandemic is controlled, and the situation begins to normalize. Markets and industrial units may open, but without labour, they are unlikely to regain effectiveness. It would take time for those who have migrated to return and assume their normal lives.
Medically, if states plan act in a timely manner, the threat of spread of the virus by this migration can be controlled. Imagination, working in unison at all levels and shifting focus from cities to villages could reverse the situation. The days ahead will be tough for state administrations.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army