Large-scale interstate labour migration within India is facilitated by the freedom of movement for citizens within this huge nation state. However, such internal labour migration within India remains largely unstudied and offers huge scope for gaining significant new knowledge. Focusing particularly on migrant construction workers from West Bengal moving to Kerala, this article specifically examines the motivations of these migrants and the role of social networks in the development of such migration streams. A field survey in Kerala indicates that Kerala’s Gulf connection and rapid demographic transition have resulted in significant reduction of local supplies of labour, thus attracting more migrants from other states in India due to better job opportunities, higher wages and good payment systems. Networks within migrant groups, especially friends’ contacts, are found to be the strongest factor in supporting this migration process.

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This article highlights emerging patterns of domestic remittance arrangements among migrant construction workers from West Bengal in Kerala that have now become defunct because of COVID-19. Earlier field surveys and in-depth interviews showed how Bengali migrant construction workers, relying on networks of friendship and trust, were learning to remit through formal channels, in contrast with many micro-studies showing the dominant role of informal channels in domestic remittances. High wage rates in Kerala enabled such migrant construction workers to send significant amounts, used for productive activities besides household expenses. However, there were significant changes in arrangements, before COVID-19 enforced a dramatic suspension of remittances, raising important questions about future possibilities.

Literacy is considered as one of the key foundation stones for any development process in the society. It increases the capabilities of individuals, families and communities to access health, educational, political, economic and cultural opportunities and services. This study deals with the literacy status of Empowered Action Group (EAG) States of India. It highlights the gender disparity in literacy, rural-urban differential in literacy and literacy differential among the various social groups in EAG as well as Non-EAG States. It also examines the district level literacy variations especially in EAG States. The study uses the Census data of 2001 and 2011 to fulfil the objectives. It finds that though the disparity in literacy rates between EAG and Non-EAG States is still substantial, between 2001 and 2011 the growth of literacy rate,especiallyin rural areas, is found to be much higher in EAG States than Non-EAG States. More importantly, between 2001 and 2011, gender disparity in literacy rate has decreased in both EAG and Non-EAG States.