IMPACT OF SEASONAL MIGRATION ON CHILDREN OF A SCHEDULED CASTE COMMUNITY IN WESTERN ODISHA, INDIA

Abstract

Seasonal migration is rampant among the scheduled caste population of western Odisha, India. Due to dearth of employment opportunities and caste-based livelihood barriers, the scheduled caste people of Bargarh district migrate heavily to other states and to other districts of the same state for a period of about six to seven months. Children are one of the most affected sections of the seasonal migration. The present study makes an analysis of children’s situation of the migrant families both at the place of origin and place of destination. The study shows that the children who are left behind in the village are neglected, face educational hurdles and sometime remain engaged in economic activities at an early age and eke out hard for a living. The migrant children lead a sub-standard living in unhygienic environment and are exploited by the employer being engaged in work in odd hours of the day. They are deprived of the government sponsored facilities like immunization and vaccination at the place of destination and face health hazards, under nutrition and physical exploitation. KEY WORDS: seasonal migration, children, poverty, deprivation, education, health