Depression, rising unemployment and low industrial output and profits — it does not need a economist to tell that the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by nationwide lockdown — will severely jeopardise the growth prospects, social and economic well-being of a large number of people.

Amid this, Rajya Sabha MP and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) leader Biswajit Daimary has urged the people of Assam to return to their native villages amid the coronavirus-induced crisis and lead a “humble and rustic life” by working for the cause of boosting the rural economy and bring in a healthy and dynamic transformation in the agriculture sector, instead of migrating to towns and cities for livelihood prospects.

Daimary made a fervent appeal to the village folk to dedicate themselves to the cause of bringing in renaissance in the agrarian economy for at least a year and expressed hope that if they respond to the “call of the roots”, the resurgence of agriculture in the state was not far.

Daimary also referred to the thousands of people who could head to their home state of Assam after the relaxation of the lockdown after having lost their livelihood and asserted that all the “home-comers”, who return amid the coronavirus crisis, could be future participants in the “rural lifestyle”.

Anticipating that a good number of people may return home, he said monitoring of returnees for Covid-19 symptoms should be carried out at the village level as government mechanism cannot keep a constant check on them.

Daimary said close economic integration of rural areas with neighbouring urban areas and the creation of rural off-farm employment can narrow rural-urban disparities, expand opportunities and encourage the retention of skilled people, including youth, in rural areas.

There is considerable potential for rural job creation not only in farming, agro-processing and rural industry but also in building rural infrastructure, animal husbandry and food production, he added.

Daimary, further endorsing the peaceful rustic life, said, “We should enjoy the things that our ancestors used to do. Why should we dance in bars when we can dance in the village fields instead?”