Platforms and Migrants
Bon Voyage ! Stay Safe !
Over last few weeks, I have watched few episodes of Netflix Series- Vikings and absolutely loved it. We could always pick holes from historical perspective but the lessons of grit , determination and sheer ambition are on display in the series. One constant theme has been of exploration and going to ‘new lands’. Sail for places which are not on map and use compass to find your way.
Whether crossing the unknown sea or getting ahead in your life, we have a choice between choosing a map vs compass. Do let me know if you are a compass explorer or a map traveller.
And, if somebody forwarded this email to you, please sign up for an awesome, dis-intermediated and fruitful relationship by clicking on following link and subscribing to the newsletter.
AND if you are a friend of the RPML, do share it with others. You can add more of your friends to the Community of Platform’ed by using the following link.
DTW
During the Week, United Nations celebrated World Habitat Day and World Post Day. Millions of human leave their birth homes and migrate to unknown places in hope of a better life. Many a times this migration can lift multiple generations out of poverty and on a path to prosperity. Platforms have played an increasingly important role in shape and size of migration over last decade. This interplay between platform and migrants could be seen in three dimensions- Preparation, Movement and Adjustment.
First stage of Migration usually start with Preparation which includes motivation or inspiration to migrate as well as accessing information. It could be influenced by multiple social media platforms which keep them connected with already migrated acquaintances. Platforms have been instrumental in creating multi-directional flow of information and have often been used as a first point of information gathering by potential migrants. In distant past this was difficult to accomplish owing to slow speed of communication often via couriers or even governmental postal services.
India Post has led the transformation of Indian rural life and has been a great connector to millions of people staying aways from their families. The anguish of being away from your loved ones has been captured in multiple creative ways. One of my favourite Garhwal songs has been this poignant rendition by Meena Rana about a married girl remembering her parental home and worrying about well being of loved ones. In good old days, it used to be traveling singers who used to bring news about happenings and their visits were something to wait for.
Please read the translation here. I am reminded of this song whenever I see a ghughuti (spotted dove) visiting the bird feeders in our balcony. More on that later !
Second phase of Migration is about actual movement- both legal and illegal. International Organisation for Migration has launched an initiative called MigApp which is an important resource for all stakeholders. It is platform for migrants, international agencies, local governments as well as multiple service providers to ease the migration process. Development of mapping platforms like Google Maps and other offline mapping apps have helped migrant find safe routes to migrate. Travel is also the most dangerous part of the migration story and we have had multiple instances of use of platforms in human trafficking. BBC had reported on use of social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram to run slave trade especially women. Bad actors posts have been promoted via algorithm-driven hashtags, and sales negotiated via private messages on encrypted platforms.
Third and final phase of Adjustment involves finding employment, housing and local communities. Platforms like MyRojgaar, Majdoor etc have helped internal migrants in India find employment opportunities even during pandemic times. I have written in an earlier newsletter about role of platforms in blue collar employment. Language translation platforms including google translate , have made the assimilation in foreign cultures easier as well as helped them stay connected with their native language. UNHCR has also worked with multiple stakeholder including Mercy Corps, Google, ThoughtWorks and Translators without Borders together to develop an app Translation Cards which has helped volunteers to share accurate, accessible information with refugees and migrants in the language they understand. Of course, social media platforms through their multiple chat and discussion groups have helped new migrants find their feet in their new homes. Inward Remittances from migrants have been backbone of multiple local economies in India.
Migrants have been using multiple platforms for sending remittances and this space has seen lot of developments leading to lower cost, easier transaction and faster payments in home countries.
OTW
Over the Weekend, United Nations celebrated World Migratory Bird Day (10 October- Second Saturday of October) and International Day of the Girl Child (11 Oct).
My daughter Aru Bisht started tynkrr- social media platform for Teens few weeks back and had shared her motivation to start it in a blog post. Teen users of platform have recently discussed issues related to mental health and share their perspective in a safe space. Head over to tynkrr’s instagram handle to share your love
I would like to share one of the most watched episodes of Satyamev Jayate on Female Foeticide which touched so many raw nerves about our society and its norms. It brought this conversation about inhuman practice of female foeticide into every middle class drawing room and perhaps gave strength to millions of mothers to keep fighting for their girl child. According to Niti Ayog data, Sex ratio at birth in India (Females per 1000 Males) is 900 (2013-15) !
One of the highlight of the episode was an original composition at the end of the discussion which captured the emotional roller coaster ride. Let me leave you with 'Chiraiya' sung by soulful singer Swanand Kirkire along with heartfelt music by astonishing music composer Ram Sampath.
I Love You
Shailendra
Sir, you have correctly pointed out the reasons and process for their migration and how platforms can assist them to get back to track, post COVID. Well, earlier not only us but these migrants were also Compass Explorers they only know the direction but where they don’t know, but now by the help of Platforms they might be moving towards the Map Travellers way.... What you think about it? As far as us are concerned, many of we are Compass Explore in the Sea of Life.....and some are Map Travellers as well...... if they are quite lucky to get hold of the Map well in advance.
another example of empowering migrant workers is an app developed by Vigyan Foundation https://www.vigyanfoundation.org/, an NGO based in Lucknow. The App is called Uttar Pradesh Dehari Majdoor Sangathan and it helps register workers within the union database and thereafter workers are intended to be educated about and linked to govt welfare schemes and progs for workers . The focus is mostly on construction workers and domestic workers. FES India has been actively engaged with this App.