Jobless in Mumbai they took trains back to Uttar Pradesh but want to return back to their ‘ karma-bhumi’, Mumbai.
Mumbai
Migrant labourers are still leaving Mumbai in hordes many who had better jobs are making a beeline to reach their native places. Although the Uttar Pradesh government has assured 11 million jobs for migrant workers coming from any part of the country, the migrants who have better jobs in Mumbai want to come back to Mumbai whatever may happen.
Government of Maharashtra has arranged daily long-distance trains for migrants from any parts of the country to go back to their respective home states. Tens of thousands daily wage migrant labourers had found themselves with no source of income when the PM Narendra Modi announced lockdown on March 25.
Along with daily wager labourers, Mumbai city has thousands of migrants engaged in other jobs. They had been working in Mumbai for the last three generations. Many of these migrants have started facing financial difficulties amid lockdown for the last three months.
Also Read: Along with migrant labourers, other migrants also shift their roots!
Diwakar Chaurasia a taxi-driver from Ghatkopar said,” I am born in Mumbai, we stay in chawl and during this pandemic crisis of COVID-19 it is difficult to stay safe. Thus we are leaving for Banaras. I am jobless but it doesn’t affect me so much as I have a big family. “I will return to Mumbai for my children’s future. The jobs are assured for labourers and there is no future in UP for children,” added Chaurasia.
The ones who are in better jobs and are rushing to their hometown in Uttar Pradesh remarked that for them this visit is like summer vacation and after everything settles they will come back to the city of dreams. On May 29, migrants boarded long distance Express train bound for Banaras from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.
Prabhakar Das Mishra, a private security guard said, “I am going with family now for summer vacation. We will stay for few months and as the schools and colleges will reopen late this year. We will come back to Mumbai after Diwali. My children are born here and I do not want to risk their career.” Mishra explained that he can do farming for now as he too cannot be part of jobs for migrant workers in UP.
Sheshmani Dubey from Bhadohi in Banaras said, “I am in Mumbai since 1982. I have never desired to leave this city. It pays ones hard work. I have got my daughters educated in Mumbai as the education standards in UP are really pathetic. My daughters are also well settled in Mumbai.” “I stay in slum buildings, that is why I am going to my native place or else nothing can beat this city. Ye hain Mumbai Meri Jaan “added Dubey.
