Where are you from?
Platforms and Migration
I can never get tired of listening to Narendra Singh Negi including the following masterpiece.
The song talks about the extreme effects of migration and the sense of alienation that the current migrant generation feels about their origin. At times, it is almost apologetic and conveys the sentiment of regret of being called "Pahadi". In fact, towards the end, the "young guy" says "पहाड़ी भुला कहके मेरी बेईज्ज़ती क्यूँ करते हो ".
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DTW
During the Week, I was in Bengaluru for the Digital Street Regional Consultation at Icfai Business School Bengaluru.
We aim to develop a framework for facilitating digital transformation of street vendors which is based on social dimensions of development and modernisation. We are also aware that there are myriad issues that compound the problem at hand. Therefore, we want to progress systematically step-by step. In absence of any published review in the Indian context, our understanding of these issues largely remains intuitive, anecdotal and presumptuous based on our informal interactions with the people in the sector and our insights emanating from our study of extant literature published in the West. That is why, as a first step we proposed to organise a series of consultations with sector experts to know about the existing digital technologies known to/experienced by the experienced practitioners/researchers working in this area. We also want to gain insights into the likely challenges in adoption of digital technologies by street vendors and other stakeholders. Check out the OTM section at the bottom to see if you would like to contribute.
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 MigAppwhich 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, we met street vendors across Bengaluru specifically in Bannerghatta National Park as part of Digital Street Regional Consultation. Thanks to wonderful work by Prof Bharathi S Gopal and her extraordinary team for the extraordinary experience. The day concluded with a sumptuous lunch at Adyar Ananda Bhavan. Thanks also to Gangadhar Krishnan who is a Specialist Founder Traveller U@U (Unwind@Unexplored)
The street vendor stories are full of pain as well as hope. I really loved the fact that many of them are multi-lingual which I find to be an important skill.
Amongst the relatively unknown artists behind the success of Gangs of Wasseypur, we have a young singer Deepak Thakur. His story -which includes even dropping out of MBA- is an inspiration and also demonstrates the power of platforms in discovering the mavericks in the long tail of exceptional talent available in the world.
Deepak sang Moora written by one of my favourite writer Varun Grover. This song comes pretty close to the best mental approach to tackle present and future crisis-
Naahin Looj Ye Ji Hope, नाही लूजिये जी होप
Thoda Fightwa Karo Ji. थोडा फाईटवा करो जी
As the world becomes more connected and even more people leave their homes, there is an ever bigger need to connect and language can make all the difference.
I Love You.
Shailendra
OTM
Opportunities through MountainSpeak are available with Centre of Excellence for Digital Transformation, where we are reaching out to experts who can contribute to Digital Street Regional Consultation across multiple locations in India.
Digital Street aims to develop a framework for facilitating digital transformation of street vendors.
Thanks for your response to the guest recommendation for Digital Street across the country. The likely participants may have experience in digital transformation, informal sector, travel technologies, tourism, street vendor issues amongst others. They may come from government, academics, consulting, corporate, policy making, start ups, non-profit and advocacy groups.