The Punjab looks economically prosperous, and the life styles of people appear lot more modern from the 1960s when I left for the UK. Of course, it is natural after more than half a century of economic growth. However, ordinary people appear lot more stressed, unhappy with social and political developments, buried under debt, and complaining, despite an obvious increase in religiosity.
The Doaba region of Punjab’s rural and urban prosperity is becoming seriously dependent on the amount of money the NRIs (Non Resident Indians) are spending in various forms. They are spending incredible sums of their foreign earned money on building enormous size modern style family holiday homes which remain vacant for more than 10 months a year. They pay people to take care for their security and maintenance when unoccupied. This provides employment to many people. It is mainly the first generation people from the diasphora who make frequent visits. Their visits generate substantial employment and incomes to those running taxis and provide domestic services. Almost right through the year the bazaars of the cities and towns in the region are overcrowded with NRI women spending millions of pounds and dollars on buying primarily clothes and jewellery in the large shops with dazzling lights. Furthermore, NRIs are contributing very generously in building the religious institutions, social infrastructure and other welfare services in their native villages and towns. Sadly, the local population’s expectations from the NRIs in these activities are sky high in relation to their own contributions.
The days of NRIs investing in buying and improving land, and other productive sectors are gone. The younger generation of NRIs shows a seriously declining interest in their forefathers’ properties in Punjab, their relations with relatives in Punjab are weakening, and they are unlikely to make the same number of visits as their parents and grandparents do. Thus, it will not be surprising if and when this bubble of present prosperity bursts. Surprisingly, I found no one aware of this potential future problem or even interested in discussing it.
During my current visit, in fact the first time in my life, I had to deal with the police when my sister’s house was burgled as she and her husband were away in Australia visiting their son. The police, against my belief, were very helpful, efficient and courteous. I didn’t have to grease their palm, as I was told that I had to, even to register the burglary. Everybody around me said -- it was my position and status that received such a different treatment and a prompt service. During a general chat both senior police officers deeply regretted that it was the unnecessary personal security expected by politician – MLAs, MPs, Cabinet Ministers and the Chief Minister was keeping them occupied, leaving little time to do their real policing job. Shamefully, however, politicians seek status and show of their power and authority, (largely a false image in the eyes of ordinary public), through the number of police around them.
I also had an opportunity to visit the District Courts complex in Nawanshehar to get an official document prepared for the division of our family land. Two things surprised me, I should say, rather shocked me, one: I saw heaps of dirty smelling rubbish and men urinating against a wall in the area through which most of the senior administrators and magistrate regularly walk to their offices. Their lack of awareness and concern speaks bundles about the political and administrative rhetoric about fighting pollution. Second, corruption is unbelievably open and rampant. Allegedly, it is taken by all administrators – from the village patwari to the Deputy Commissioner. Bribery is an unofficial fee paid for every service required. Punters only ask: how much? Political slogans will not change anything as politicians seem to have completely lost credibility. A cultural and political revolution might amend the rotten looking manner the state structures currently operate. A revolution? It is wishful thinking.
Dr Ramindar Singh
Pudsey, Leeds
The Doaba region of Punjab’s rural and urban prosperity is becoming seriously dependent on the amount of money the NRIs (Non Resident Indians) are spending in various forms. They are spending incredible sums of their foreign earned money on building enormous size modern style family holiday homes which remain vacant for more than 10 months a year. They pay people to take care for their security and maintenance when unoccupied. This provides employment to many people. It is mainly the first generation people from the diasphora who make frequent visits. Their visits generate substantial employment and incomes to those running taxis and provide domestic services. Almost right through the year the bazaars of the cities and towns in the region are overcrowded with NRI women spending millions of pounds and dollars on buying primarily clothes and jewellery in the large shops with dazzling lights. Furthermore, NRIs are contributing very generously in building the religious institutions, social infrastructure and other welfare services in their native villages and towns. Sadly, the local population’s expectations from the NRIs in these activities are sky high in relation to their own contributions.
The days of NRIs investing in buying and improving land, and other productive sectors are gone. The younger generation of NRIs shows a seriously declining interest in their forefathers’ properties in Punjab, their relations with relatives in Punjab are weakening, and they are unlikely to make the same number of visits as their parents and grandparents do. Thus, it will not be surprising if and when this bubble of present prosperity bursts. Surprisingly, I found no one aware of this potential future problem or even interested in discussing it.
During my current visit, in fact the first time in my life, I had to deal with the police when my sister’s house was burgled as she and her husband were away in Australia visiting their son. The police, against my belief, were very helpful, efficient and courteous. I didn’t have to grease their palm, as I was told that I had to, even to register the burglary. Everybody around me said -- it was my position and status that received such a different treatment and a prompt service. During a general chat both senior police officers deeply regretted that it was the unnecessary personal security expected by politician – MLAs, MPs, Cabinet Ministers and the Chief Minister was keeping them occupied, leaving little time to do their real policing job. Shamefully, however, politicians seek status and show of their power and authority, (largely a false image in the eyes of ordinary public), through the number of police around them.
I also had an opportunity to visit the District Courts complex in Nawanshehar to get an official document prepared for the division of our family land. Two things surprised me, I should say, rather shocked me, one: I saw heaps of dirty smelling rubbish and men urinating against a wall in the area through which most of the senior administrators and magistrate regularly walk to their offices. Their lack of awareness and concern speaks bundles about the political and administrative rhetoric about fighting pollution. Second, corruption is unbelievably open and rampant. Allegedly, it is taken by all administrators – from the village patwari to the Deputy Commissioner. Bribery is an unofficial fee paid for every service required. Punters only ask: how much? Political slogans will not change anything as politicians seem to have completely lost credibility. A cultural and political revolution might amend the rotten looking manner the state structures currently operate. A revolution? It is wishful thinking.
Dr Ramindar Singh
Pudsey, Leeds
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