The vast acres of paddy fields just outside a town in Bihar, tell a story of the agrarian life style that dominates. But the changes are visible with new constructions of houses and commercial complexes.
In a conversation with the residents, I sensed that the land area for agricultural purposes would reduce gradually as construction of buildings would be needed to accommodate new business initiatives based on mushrooming industry initiatives.
The migration of people from rural areas to towns and cities would also increase as young people having been better educated than what it was 25 years ago, would need jobs corresponding to their educational status.
In the village where Anna and I live and villages next to us have land areas, who used to be rice fields, remain uncultivated for several years as farm workers are rare to find. The labourers have disappeared, as there is no such class in the recent years where educational opportunities offered opportunities for young people to find well- paying jobs.
Any form of farming is labour intensive unless it is fully mechanised.
The human interface is missing as the class of daily wage earning labourers are scarce to fond!
During this social change, one issue that surfaces for attention is the clusters of senior citizens who live alone in their homes, often not well cared for!
It is estimated that this number of those who are beyond sixty five years would soon outnumber the younger people as each family has only one or two children by choice!
This is an existential crisis. The farming which was the source of food and income is disappearing. People are older and unable to work in their farms. The younger members of a home are elsewhere. employed and settled.
This is a crisis at our door step. Fortunately, the recently elected state government of Keralam started a new department to attend to the welfare of senior citizens! That is a ray of hope!
The fourth photo above is a photo which represents the social transition taking place in rural areas.
I came across many initiatives locally which are 'Good Samaritan' projects to respond to the needs of those who live alone in needy situations!
I suspect the scene in the first photo will soon be replaced by the scene in the fourth photo! It represents development as well as displacement!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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