Migration is movement. But not all movements are migration. For some it is a spatial movement for others a mental journey voluntarily induced or coerced by situations. Migration is not limited to man alone, in fact more birds, fish and animals are on the regular and systematic move than people. Mass migration of African animals such as wilder beasts, zebras and elephants is a precondition for their survival. Similar is the case with a good number of species of Siberian birds. Whereas African animals move within a country or continent, the birds from the chilly continent of Europe travel thousands of miles during the winter in order to keep their body and soul together. This journey for birds and animals is not so much by choice but by compulsion. Extreme conditions such as no grass and water available or freezing cold force them to move to new pastures either hundreds or thousands of miles away from their abodes. The seals and walruses also take the arduous journey through the turbulent and tossing waters of the oceans for months. But no animal's journey is as fascinating as that of the salmon fish. Here is a fish that returns braving unimaginably challenging distances to its place of birth without fail only to breathe its last after laying eggs.
However this is not all about the amazing journeys birds and beasts take. The beast at the top of the cycle, man that is, has a migration story to its credit that is more colourful as well as brutal and at times highly romantic. When the first Neanderthal or Homo sapien groups moved on in search of food and shelter across the continents and found suitable conditions, history of a superior species started to unfold. Their mortality rate was outstripped by the accelerated birth rate of the newborn. Today the world has about eight billion people each of whom is far different from their ancestors and yet in fierce competition for maintaining a decent living.
No wonder, therefore, that people have a long history of trekking long distances in search of favourable lands and climes where they could settle permanently. In the twilight of history when the means of production were limited but demand for material goods for a comfortable life was overriding, people of a particular geographic location looked for someone who could lead them in their defence against enemies or prowling animals. Thus there emerged kings and emperors who gradually felt the need for expanding their spheres of influence. Battles and wars were the natural consequence and wars of epical proportion were fought. Later on, kings and emperors embarked on attacking country after country leaving a trail of human tragedy, death and destruction. People had to flee from their ancestral homes. After leading the life of wanderers, they either sought refugee in a new country or assembled under a new leader to fight back and recover their country from the invaders.
The invasions by Nadir Shah and Alexander the Great have wreaked havoc across a wide territory. Then came the migration of Europeans across the Atlantic to the new world. The indigenous people were virtually eliminated. This happened in America, New Zealand and Australia. Africa and Asia, subjugated as these two continents were by colonial European powers, thanks to their intrigue and viral competition among themselves, were subjected to a new kind of bondage. Imposition of economic, cultural and linguistic imperialism had produced in the local inhabitants a kind of demeaning sense. Forgetful of their far superior cultural heritage they started to imitate the imported lifestyle, culture and education. So irresistible was the attraction that the privileged among the natives now made the once unthinkable journey for higher studies in the land of their conquerors.
It was the time when there was no need for passport or visa. But when the colonies became independent, the reverse flow of workers or students did not cease; in fact became even more powerful. Now it is so strong that Asians, Africans and Hispanics pose a real threat to the local population particularly in the metropolitan cities in the Great Britain, the United States of America and Australia. Canada and New Zealand with vast territories and smaller populations are yet to face any such problem. So many Asians and Africans keep these two countries on the priority list of their migratory destinations. People are on a constant move but now it is marked by reverse migration. The bright and brilliant among the populations in the developing countries are on the outlook for a better and stable life. Back home, life is uncertain because of violent politics, lawlessness, lack of opportunities and even persecution. So they are in search of an El Dorado. The country of their birth is left uncared for as the talented and the brightest leave for a foreign land never to return. The land becomes poorer in terms of its human resources and plunges into further chaos because of leadership crisis.
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