SSB personnel carry woman’s bier in Uttarakhand village as young men migrate in search of jobs

A touching incident from a remote village in Uttarakhand has once again highlighted the serious problem of migration from hill areas. Personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) helped carry the bier of a 100-year-old woman to the crematorium because there were no young men left in the village. Most of them had migrated to cities in search of work.

The incident took place in Tadigam village of Pithoragarh district, which lies near the Indo-Nepal border. Local residents said the scene reflected the difficult reality of many villages in the hill state, where lack of jobs and basic facilities has forced younger generations to leave their homes.

No young men left in the village

Jhupa Devi, a resident of Tadigam village, passed away at the age of 100 on Wednesday. After her death, her family faced a serious problem. According to local customs, the bier has to be carried on foot to the crematorium. However, the crematorium is located around three kilometres away, on the banks of the Kali River.

The village had no young men to perform this duty. Almost all the younger population has moved out to nearby towns and cities in search of jobs and a better life. Only elderly men and women remain in the village.

Bhupendra Chand, an elderly villager, explained the situation clearly. He said that there were no young men in Tadigam, and therefore, the villagers had no choice but to seek help from the SSB personnel stationed nearby.

At the request of villagers, the SSB border outpost near Tadigam sent two officers and four jawans to help. The SSB personnel not only carried Jhupa Devi’s body from her home to the crematorium but also helped in other important rituals.

Jhupa Devi’s 65-year-old son, Ramesh Chand, said that the support from the SSB was a great help for the family during a very painful time. He added that without their assistance, it would have been extremely difficult to complete the last rites.

The SSB personnel also carried firewood required for the cremation and helped the family perform the final rituals with dignity and respect. Locals praised the force for showing humanity and standing by the villagers in their time of need.

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Migration leaves villages empty

The incident has once again drawn attention to the growing problem of migration from Uttarakhand’s hill villages. Ramesh Chand said that only four elderly men currently live in Tadigam village. All young men have left due to the absence of livelihood opportunities.

He explained that farming alone is not enough to support families anymore. Crop damage caused by wild animals has made agriculture risky and unprofitable. As a result, people are forced to move out in search of work.

According to villagers, Tadigam had 37 families about 20 years ago. Today, that number has dropped sharply to just 13 families. The total population of the village has also fallen to around 50 people, most of whom are elderly.

Bhupendra Chand said the village suffers from serious infrastructure problems. There is no proper paved road connecting Tadigam to nearby areas. Although villagers built a dirt road on their own in 2019, vehicles cannot use it due to poor condition.

He also pointed out that wild animals frequently destroy crops, fruit trees, and vegetables. This has made farming extremely difficult and discouraging for villagers who depend on agriculture for survival.

The lack of schools, hospitals, transport, and employment opportunities has pushed young people to migrate to cities. Many now work as labourers, drivers, security guards, or in small private jobs far away from their homes.

Experts say Tadigam is not an isolated case. Hundreds of villages across Uttarakhand face similar problems. Entire villages are slowly becoming empty, leaving behind only elderly residents who struggle to manage daily life.

Social workers believe that incidents like this should serve as a wake-up call for authorities. They say that unless basic facilities, road connectivity, and job opportunities are created in villages, migration will continue and worsen.

The role played by the SSB personnel has been widely appreciated. Locals said their help showed compassion and responsibility beyond duty. However, they also stressed that such situations should not arise in the first place.

Villagers hope that the government will take steps to improve living conditions in remote border areas. Providing employment, protecting crops from wildlife, and improving road access could help stop migration and bring life back to villages like Tadigam.

The incident of Jhupa Devi’s last journey is not just a story of kindness by security personnel, but also a strong reminder of the silent crisis unfolding in Uttarakhand’s hill villages.