Every year, as June arrives, large numbers of migrant labourers from Bihar and other eastern states journey to Punjab's fields for the paddy transplanting season. This annual migration marks the start of one of the most labour-intensive agricultural operations in the region.
Skilled Hands in the Fields
These workers, often short and lean in build, are widely regarded as skilled hands when it comes to transplanting paddy saplings. Over the years, their expertise has made them an indispensable part of Punjab's paddy cultivation cycle. For these labourers, the short window of about a month and a half is crucial, as they aim to earn maximum wages during the peak sowing period.
Harsh Working Conditions
From dawn to dusk, they engage in hard physical labour, bending over waterlogged fields to plant saplings row after row. The conditions are far from easy. With temperatures rising sharply in June and humidity levels soaring, the fields often resemble shallow ponds. Workers remain partially submerged in muddy water for hours, exposed to intense heat and moisture. Despite these harsh conditions, the seasonal rush of work leaves little room for rest.
Resilience Driving Punjab's Economy
The resilience of these migrant labourers continues to drive Punjab's paddy economy each year. The Tribune's Principal Photo Journalist Himanshu Mahajan visited several locations across Ludhiana district to document the ongoing transplanting operations. His photographs capture the strenuous labour of workers engaged in paddy cultivation under extreme heat and humid conditions.
