Wayanad, India – Kerala’s economy heavily relies on migrant workers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, especially in sectors such as tea, coffee, and rubber plantations. Rajkumar Jani, a botany graduate from Odisha, works in a tea garden, earning based on the quantity of leaves he picks, motivated by better income opportunities than available at home. His coworker, Shyam Kalpadia, who introduced others to the region, also appreciates Kerala’s beauty and supportive work environment, which includes accommodations. Despite the challenges of working on hilly slopes, Jani finds joy in his job, viewing it as both a means of income and entertainment.
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