Desperate Search for Livelihood Forces Jharkhand Youth to Migrate
Two picturesque villages in Jharkhand, Fatehpur and Gobindpur, located amidst rivers and forests in the Ranchi and Khunti districts, are grappling with a severe crisis. Over the years, these communities have witnessed a large-scale exodus of their young population. With only a few local job opportunities and largely non-productive agricultural land, families have been unable to grow enough crops to sustain themselves, forcing the youth to seek employment in distant states.
"No Industries, Non-Productive Land": Village Head Explains Exodus
Meena Devi, the mukhiya (head) of Gobindpur, paints a stark picture of the local economy. "There are no industries nearby. The agricultural land is largely non-productive," she stated. With families struggling to make ends meet, the migration of young people became inevitable. She revealed that approximately 50 youths from Gobindpur and its surrounding areas have migrated to Goa and other urban centers in search of work.
The situation is mirrored in neighboring Fatehpur, where villagers report that around 15 youths have left for Goa alone. This desperate search for livelihood recently turned tragic, highlighting the risks migrants often face.
Goa Tragedy Claims Lives of Young Migrants from Fatehpur
The human cost of this migration was brought into sharp focus by a recent fire at a nightclub in Goa. Two young men from Fatehpur village, Pradeep Mahto and Binod Mahto, were among the victims. According to villager Nitesh Sahu, the duo had migrated to the coastal state specifically to help their families back home. "They sacrificed their lives at a very young age," Sahu said, underscoring the profound loss.
Sahu further explained the common migration pattern: youths generally seek help from family members and acquaintances already working in other states to secure jobs. This network-driven migration underscores the lack of formal local avenues and the reliance on personal connections for survival.
A Systemic Issue with Deep-Rooted Consequences
The stories from Fatehpur and Gobindpur are not isolated incidents but symptomatic of a broader challenge in many rural parts of India. The migration stems from a critical lack of:
- Industrial development in the region.
- Productive agricultural opportunities to support families.
- Sustainable local employment options for the educated youth.
This exodus leaves behind aging populations and hollowed-out communities, while the migrants themselves often work in precarious conditions in unfamiliar cities. The tragic death of Pradeep and Binod Mahto in Goa is a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities these young workers encounter, far from the safety of their homes, all in pursuit of a basic livelihood their native villages could not provide.
