Migration, Diversity and Development in the Villages in Murshidabad District, West Bengal

With their significant social and cultural diversities, people live together in villages of Murshidabad district, West Bengal. The densely populated villages have high pressure on resources such as land and the rural labour market. NITI AYOG has reported Murshidabad district as one of the most backward districts in India. International labour migration started in the 1970s following the pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for better jobs and income. Devastating floods in 2000 accelerated the emigration of labour to the Gulf countries to mitigate the damage. In recent years, especially post-flood time, Hindu neighbours with Muslim counterparts also moved to Gulf countries for better income. Remittances improved villagers’ material conditions (land and housing) and developed the growing local rural market. The knitted social cohesion between Hindus and Muslims initiated and accelerated the emigration process of Hindus, too, later on, further tightening the family and social ties in the post-migration period. This trust and ties of diverse groups have strengthened the potential for creating sustainable societies and attaining several SDGs, specifically SDG 1 (no poverty) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).