I am Kuldeepsingh Rajput, a Migration Scholar, Development Practitioner, and Sociology Teacher with over 18 years of experience. I have devoted my career to understanding and addressing the complex realities of migration, rural communities, and informal labour in India.

For more than a decade, I have worked closely with migrant communities, particularly in cities like Pune, a major hub for both intra- and inter-state migration. My journey began as a doctoral scholar studying the vulnerabilities of migrant workers. However, my engagement soon extended beyond academia—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when I actively contributed to relief and support initiatives for migrant workers. I witnessed the mass exodus of migrants, the glaring gaps in inclusion systems, and the harsh everyday realities faced by migrant families. These moments of crisis and insight led to the founding of the RUBAL Foundation, an organisation dedicated to empowering migrants and informal workers.

For many rural and tribal youth, migration is not a choice—it is a survival strategy driven by the collapse of rural economies. I believe the core challenge lies not merely in managing migration, but in addressing its root causes. A sustainable, long-term solution must involve reimagining development—by building rural resilience, creating dignified local employment, and making villages more self-reliant and enabling. That’s exactly the long term goal of the RUBAL Foundation.

In addition to my fieldwork and development efforts, I actively write on issues related to migration, education, and the unorganised sector. My articles have been published in leading national publications such as The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Sakal, Economic and Political Weekly (EPW), and peer-reviewed journals from SAGE.

My work is grounded in the conviction that we must move decisively from exclusion to inclusion—from invisibility to recognition. I am committed to building a future where rural and tribal communities are no longer compelled to migrate out of desperation, but are empowered to thrive with dignity, opportunity, and a voice in shaping their own futures.