Examining Livelihood Status of Migrants: A Case Study of Barpeta Road Town, Assam

Abstract

The objective of this article is to examine the life realities of the rural urban migrants of Barpeta Road town, who came from the different adjoining villages of the Barpeta town. In the present study, we have randomly taken 100 respondents and age of the most of the respondent is around 22 to 65. The approach of the present study is explanatory. The research was designed to discover and to describe the hopes of the rural urban migrants at the village level and the experience of the migrants at destination, Barpeta Toad Town. The characteristics of primary data collection are qualitative and quantitative and based on empirical study as well as ground survey.The study focuses on the phenomenon of rural to urban migration into Barpeta Road Town that had taken place and which continues till date, despite the existence of massive unemployment in the city. The result of the study shows the migrants happens for push and pull factors for their movement to the urban environment.The study identifies the factor affecting rural to urban migrants and problems in settlements. The study demonstrates that the pull factor among many include income, education and better health facilities andthe push elements were conflicts, quarrels, absence of farmland to manage the need of the household and other multitudes of crime though they do not want to disclose the details.The present study reveals that the realities and the qualities of the life for the migrants of their destination was extremely different and sometimes challenging for independent survival and they had unofficial network to cope up with most challenging problems. Only few of migrants have an opportunity to enjoy quality life and others remain in trouble.