Ageing Alone – Migration’s Toll on Families in Madhya Pradesh

By Tej Bahadur Singh

January 25, 2025

Haret Kevat and his wife, Nawal Devi, reside in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Their children have moved to other states, driven by the scarcity of jobs and economic prospects in their home state. Their lives, marked by loneliness, represent the predicament of tens of thousands of elderly parents across the region. In Madhya Pradesh, where 36% of rural residents live below the poverty line, nearly half of the male population migrates for work—almost twice the national average. According to the India Employment Report 2024, 50.9% of these male migrants leave Madhya Pradesh for employment opportunities.

Madhya Pradesh's struggle with joblessness and limited economic opportunities is deeply rooted in several structural issues. Predominantly agricultural, the state's economy suffers from the dual challenges of unproductive land and inadequate investment in modern agricultural techniques, which limits employment options in rural areas. 

Further, the industrial sector in Madhya Pradesh has not developed as vigorously as in other states, due to a lack of infrastructure, insufficient investment and a shortage of skilled labour. These factors deter both domestic and foreign investors.

The educational system, too, has lagged in aligning with the evolving job market, leaving many young people underprepared for the few opportunities that are available. This combination of agricultural stagnation, industrial underdevelopment, and educational misalignment perpetuates the cycle of economic hardship and job scarcity, compelling many to seek livelihoods far from home.

The departure of their children leaves parents like Haret and Nawal grappling with a profound sense of isolation. Days once filled with family chatter and laughter now stretch into silent hours, leaving them recall the times when their home brimmed with life. This emptiness is not just about a physical absence, but also constant realisation about the distances that economic hardship can impose on family bonds. As years pass, the couple finds solace in each other’s company, yet the void left by their children’s absence remains palpable.

Community bonds, though helpful, are not always sufficient to fill the gap left by migrating family members. Elderly parents often find themselves reliant on neighbours or distant relatives for support, but these connections, however kind, cannot fully replace the familial intimacy that has been lost.