“Living in outside city and getting a job there can fetch handful of money but not relationship. A big full stop to go outside, no more to Vijawada, never, but will continue to stay in the village engaging myself in sustainable agricultural activities” strongly reacts Rajendra, a 16 years old migrant returnee of Pandraguda village in Kadamguda Gram Panchayat of Khairput Block, Malkanagiri

Rajendra Muduli, being a sponsored child under Child Development Programme of CYSD (Case No.323) was in regular touch. He lives with his mother Basanti, two younger brothers and a sister. His father passed way a few years back, who was the only bread earner for the family. Being the elder one, Rajendra was forced to shoulder the family responsibility along with the widow mother. Despite the hardship, he studied up to Matriculation (10th Standard). Out of his little understanding, he poised courage to take the responsibility of his father leaving his study career halfway and got prepared to feed the five-member family at the cost of his tender physical labour on daily basis. He was quite happy being engaged in household agricultural work along with causal daily wage earning.

In last February, his maternal uncle ‘Guru’ insisted him to find a job outside considering the poor financial condition of the family. Both of them proceeded to Vijawada city in Andhra Pradesh, close to Malkanagir in order to work as daily labourer in a private construction group.  But, as because he was minor, the Programme Staff constantly counselled and reminded him to come back to village and get trained under DDUGKY to become a skilled person; and  he has enough time ahead to work outside and lead a dignified life style.

By the day end, earning Rs. 500/- was a big amount which triggered Rajendra’s dream more colourful and realistic to become a good husband if marries a village girl soon after. In addition, overtime work can also pave scope for accumulating extra income. “The lockdown situation emerged out of COVID-19 outbreak nation-wide smashed all of my dreams and pulled me into a great disaster. The subsequent closedown of construction site work announcement by the Company made me gobsmacked. I could only realise, I may survive and support the family if goes back to village”, shared Rajendra hopelessly. Being a tribal boy, the simple thinking provoked him time and again to go back village and be safe in family. His uncle was bound to agree with his proposal leaving any other better options around. Since the public transports were completely banned by that time, finally they planned to return Malkangiri anyway by walk.  However, on their way back home, they were caught by the police at Motu check gate, the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh border place  and kept them under 14 days quarantine. Afterward, he reached in the village after facing several problems during the journey. Now, he is at home with his family members and happy being in the village. He keeps busy in collecting Kendu Leaves on daily wage basis and alongside looking after the onion and green gram cultivation in his farm land.

Rajendra compares, it is worth livening in village, leading a healthy and peaceful life style with dignity, while getting engaged in agricultural work in a sustainable manner.