Migration from remote villages to the metropolis/cities across the world has been a common phenomenon in Nepal. The terai region i.e. the eastern part of the country is no exception to this changing global economic development. While shrinking quantum of agricultural land, limited employment opportunities, poverty, political uncertainty etc. remains the key factors; a distant dream to improve economic conditions pushes the migrants to work abroad over the years. In this context, this paper is an attempt to understand the process of labour migration, particularly among the young generation in Jhapa – the eastern most district of Nepal which shares international boundary with India through the Siliguri corridor of the state of West Bengal.

Jhapa is primarily an agrarian based economy. However, agriculture is no longer remains a preferable livelihood option particularly among the young generation. As a result, the district has witnessed increasing number of labour migration in recent past. India, being a large neighbouring emerging economy once attracted significant number of migrants only to be replaced by the Gulf, South East Asian and European countries later on. Labour migration has multipronged impact on Nepal and its people. At one hand, the process has strengthened the national exchequer in terms of foreign remittances ensuring economic development; but, on the other, it has also impacted the socio-cultural relationships particularly in the rural areas in an unprecedented manner. The dream of earning some extra income cost their family, identity, and even life. In many cases, women of a family suffer the most since the male members constitute majority of the migrants. Considering these arguments, the paper tries to assess the impact of labour migration on the rural society of Jhapa and its changing dynamics. In the process of discussion, it also tries to focus on the question of gender and address the issues involved.