Everybody was moved with the exodus of migrants, walking along with their families and belongings during the lock-down. Their number and plight were unimaginable. Majority of migrants are landless labours, mainly engaged in physical activities and their future is dark.

Politicians can play major role but they have been playing with regional sentiments for a long time. Parties like Shiv Sena, Dravidian parties and few Assamese parties have been thinking on this line, making the problem more complicated.

COVID-19 is a health emergency. Central government announced lock-down aiming that migrants should stay back. But some states did not follow them.. Politicians were joined by IAS officials. But several voluntary organizations, like Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, Samarastha Foundation and Seva Bharati were engaged in relief work within government guidelines and rules. Their work still continues.

Some incidents, involving law and order also took place even as the central government arranged special trains with some role for state governments. But few states did not cooperate.

Congress and leftists tried to exploit the situation. They blamed Prime Minister and displayed some sympathy for migrants. Some elements tried to create anarchy by spreading misleading information and rumours. However, a deep sense of gratitude was experienced among all the migrants across the country. This is encouraging and morale boosting.

Despite some relaxations, economy is yet to restore. The state and union governments ought to implement schemes with utmost honesty. Many migrants are likely to stay back, giving us a big opportunity to make villages self-reliant. Government can seek help from honest voluntary organizations.

Government has primary responsibility to provide basic requirements to migrants. They must ensure that migrants are attended properly. Coordination between state and the central government is needed. Instead of getting into ego and political clash, they should raise to the occasion. They should adopt a policy, which would explore all the options for the betterment of migrants.