How a bonded labourer blew the whistle on his employer
India’s brick kiln industry largely employs migrant labourers, many of whom are caught in a debt trap by their employers and struggle for dignity even after their release
December 2025
The science and spirituality of water
An anthology of essays by scientists, environmentalists, journalists, podcasters and NGO reps throws light on the water crisis, what we can do about it, and how we can reconnect with water
5 people who brought cheer in 2025
The Migration Story reporters recall inspirational encounters with people they met on the field
Under the neon lights, the hidden risks for workers
The Goa nightclub tragedy followed a script that is only too familiar. As the year-end party frenzy sees increased footfalls in nightclubs, pubs and cafes across cities, the occupational risks for the bearers, kitchen staff, cleaners and front-desk personnel who keep them running remain high
From the field: The stories behind the stories
As the year winds down, journalists Maitreyee Boruah, Sanskriti Talwar and Anuj Behal, sit down to discuss their reporting process with Anuradha Nagaraj, the co-founder of The Migration Story.
A year of missing names, migrants’ identity crisis, and resilience
Indian migrants this year experienced hostility both within and outside the country, even as they tackled rising risks from extreme weather events. But migration also continued to bring hope, celebration and dignity to countless families. A look at stories we covered in 2025.
Selling idli in the Valley: An entrepreneur bridges tastes and cultures
A first-generation migrant from Tamil Nadu built a vibrant life 3,000 kilometres from her hometown, finding kindness and a sense of belonging at the restaurant she runs
Goa nightclub fire: Deaths that are counted, lives that aren’t
A devastating fire swept through a packed nightclub in Arpora, killing 25 people — mostly young migrant workers in their 20s and 30s. They were cooks, cleaners, and trainees who had left villages in Assam, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Nepal to find a better future in Goa’s booming hospitality industry.
The Missing Link: Why India’s Climate and Migration Policies Keep Talking Past Each Other
A review of over 90 interventions at national, state and city levels to assess how well they address both mobility and climate risks found that only five explicitly address both climate change and migration
‘We don’t feel the need to migrate’: A village tackles an invasive species, helps people stay home
In Madhya Pradesh’s Mandla district, villagers have toiled for years to uproot the invasive Lantana camara – a process that not only revived forests and farms, but also helped people make a living at home
