a) Internal Migration
Internal migration refers to the movement of people within a country from one region to another for various reasons such as employment, education, marriage, or natural disasters. In India, internal migration is a widespread phenomenon, especially from rural to urban areas.
There are different types of internal migration: rural to rural, rural to urban, urban to rural, and urban to urban. The most dominant pattern is rural to urban migration, driven by poverty, unemployment, and lack of opportunities in rural areas, and the attraction of better livelihoods in cities.
Migrant workers often take up low-paying, insecure jobs in construction, domestic work, or informal sectors. While they contribute significantly to the urban economy, they face several challenges, including lack of access to housing, healthcare, education, and social security. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities of internal migrants, as millions were forced to return to their villages due to lockdowns.
Government schemes like the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and e-Shram portal aim to improve the welfare of migrants. However, better data collection, legal protection, and inclusive urban policies are needed to address the issues faced by this mobile population.
b) Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It seeks to balance economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
The concept gained global prominence after the 1987 Brundtland Report and was later included in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which India has committed to achieve by 2030.
Sustainable development involves using natural resources responsibly, reducing poverty and inequality, promoting clean energy, and ensuring access to healthcare and education for all. It also calls for protecting biodiversity, managing waste, and addressing climate change.
In India, policies like the National Action Plan on Climate Change, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and renewable energy missions promote sustainability. However, challenges like overpopulation, pollution, and resource overuse persist.
For true sustainability, development must be inclusive, participatory, and environmentally conscious. Governments, civil society, and citizens all have a role to play in ensuring a future where progress does not come at the cost of the planet or people.