Gulf migration of traditional craftsmen owing to economic reforms: A case study of Ansaris of Eastern Uttar Pradesh

India got freedom from erstwhile British India. And under the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, initiated five year development programmes taken from former USSR. Under this, programmes for agricultural andtraditional craftsmen were made to ensure economic development of farmers and craftsmen. Under five year programmes, Indian economy was somewhat socialist in nature. This phase was referred as License Raj. But with the decline of USSR and domination of USA, third world economies started liberalising, whichisalso known as Washington consensus. In India, it was called Economic Reforms under which market has been opened for Multinational firms. These firms started investing in every sector of the economy and more particularlyimports of Chinese apparel materials increased (cheaper than Indian indigenous apparels). Big textile mills started making clothes which were previously made by handloom weavers. Owing to this, unpleasant news of weavers' suicide increased in daily newspapers. Many changed their profession and turned intovegetables seller, rickshaw puller and other occupations. While Banarsi Sari weavers of eastern Uttar Pradesh, and youthsparticularly from Mau and Azamgarh districts found career hope in Gulf countries. There is a trend of Gulf Migration as casual labour while some received training in plumbing, electrician, and driving, prior moving to the Gulf countries for seeking job. For the same reason, an attempt is made to understand the patterns in Gulf Migration among the Muslim Weavers and determinants for Gulf migration among skilled Banarsi sari weavers.