By Manjeet Sehgal: Punjab has witnessed a nearly sweeping international migration during the past 75 years. The immigration from Punjab to the Western countries, which started post the 1947-1948 period, further picked up in the 1960s.

Between 2016 and March 2021, more than 4.78 lac Punjabis flew to foreign countries in search of greener pastures.

In terms of migration for studies, Punjab has been placed in the third position, as over 2.62 lakh students went abroad for studies during the said period.

In Chandigarh, an estimated 1.26 lac students went abroad for studies between 2016 to 2021.

Around one lakh students, who leave Punjab every year, rarely return. Another fact that hints at the demographic crisis is that the state’s 70 per cent workforce comes from other states, following the immigration.

Interestingly, after 75 years of widespread international migration, Punjab is now also witnessing a reverse migration and there are dozens of case studies to prove the phenomenon.

Avtar Singh Azad, who came back to Phagwara’s Bahua after spending 42 years in Birmingham city of England, to establish a housing complex exclusively for NRIs, also runs a hotel and a restaurant named NRI Rasoi.

“I left the country after college with the aim to earn money. I came back to my state after spending 42 years in the United Kingdom so that I can serve the country by providing employment opportunities and making an investment,” Avtar Singh Azad told India Today, adding that India was a poor country when they were compelled to leave the motherland.

“In 1947, India’s economy stood at number 51 and now it is at 5th place. Americans are employed with companies in India. The only thing we expect is that there should be honesty and transparency. If an Indian can become UK’s Prime Minister and an Indian can be the vice President of the United States, then why can’t they run India” he adds.

Avtar Singh Azad was also successful in bringing back 52 families to Bahua. Nearly a dozen of these families are now running businesses like him and providing employment to the locals.

Seventy-year-old Tarsem Singh, who originally hails from Kapurthala and bought a house at the NRI housing complex after spending nearly three decades in Birmingham, UK, is now planning to set up a dairy business in his Kapurthala village.

“I was a Punjab government employee and migrated to England in 1987 after resigning from the service. My family still lives in Birmingham. The family members regularly visit Punjab to keep the cultural ties alive. The development in the country, the rising economy and improved infrastructure is attracting NRIs,” he said.

Jalandhar village headman (sarpanch) Harjinder Singh Raja, who spent 10 years in England, said he returned to his village due to the rising number of drug addicts, lawlessness and crime rate. He said he wanted to change the face of his village.

Construction of village roads and improving amenities and village infrastructure by setting up a sports stadium and a gym, besides establishing a modern crematorium with an attached mortuary are some of his achievements.

“More than 82 drug addicts were sent to drug-de-addiction centres. Have personally handed over criminals to the police. Three of our Kabaddi players have played the game at international level. We want to give back to our people what we learned in the foreign countries,” said Harjinder Singh Raja, who took over as the sarpanch in 2018.

Meanwhile, NRIs who have been playing a crucial role in boosting rural infrastructure and the economy in Punjab are being backed by the locals.

Nearly 80 percent of the development work in Punjab villages is being sponsored by NRIs.

Today, the Punjab villages look like modern towns. Many villages even have amenities like Cambridge schools, colleges, gyms, sports academies and modern crematoriums with built-in mortuaries.

FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR REVERSE MIGRATION IN PUNJAB

The vibrant Indian economy, improved infrastructure and love for the homeland and culture, besides growing inflation in the Western world, are the key factors responsible for reverse migration in Punjab.

Case studies by India Today revealed that senior and well-off NRI Punjabis were investing in the state, as the interest rates in Western countries were much below as compared to India (India 6.5, Canada 4.5, UK 4.5, US 5.25).

“The cash deposited in the UK’s banks hardly earns any income. I will only be getting 4000 to 5000 pounds if I am having at two lakh pounds in the bank. I will get a handsome income if I invest two crore Indian rupees in business here (Punjab),” said Tarsem Singh, who returned from Birmingham, UK.

Besides investment, cheaper health amenities also attract NRIs to come to Punjab.

“There is a national health security program in the UK but that is not private. People are made to wait for two to three months, or even for longer durations. Medical treatment in India is cheaper,” said Avtar Singh Azad.

The poor economic growth in Western countries including the UK, US and Canada, where most of the Punjabis have moved, may affect the immigration in future.

Meanwhile, the economic slowdown has left the senior NRI Punjabis worried. The average global potential GDP growth is expected to decline further in the future, which will hit the jobs and amenities and the side effects are already visible.

The immigrants in Canada and the UK have to wait for years to get medical treatments.

CORRUPTION BIGGEST HURDLE

The NRIs, who followed reverse migration, demand a single window system so that they establish their business without delay and hesitation.

Avtar Singh Azad and Tarsem Singh complained about widespread corruption in Punjab, which was stopping the NRIs from investing in Punjab.

“NRI Punjabis can invest in a big way but they don’t trust. We are compelled to bribe the people besides causing the harassment. The people (NRIs) like honesty and are even hesitating to bring their children back. The only thing which is required is the single window system which is missing. After visiting many offices one feels that he was in a hell,” said Avtar Singh Azad.

However, the new Punjab government has assured all help to the NRIs bringing investment to the state and has also announced steps to encourage reverse migration.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has also assured the people that his government will create adequate opportunities so that brain drain can be stopped.