Providing economic opportunities in rural areas would not only stem migration to urban areas, but help with reverse migration in the future. If I were a rural migrant, nothing is holding me living in urban slums except the lack of opportunities at home. Look at NRIs coming back in droves today. Can we make the same happen for rural India?

Activists have an important role to play and are required to ensure that the affected community gets more than a fair deal as it helps the larger community. The role they must play is that of a benevolent middleman, safeguarding their constituents’ interests as well as ensuring new opportunities for them. Protesting without progress helps no one.

The writer is CEO, Grassroots Trading Network for Women