National Conference – Changing Scenario of Punjab due
Emigration: Socio-Economic and Cultural perspectives
Institute of Inclusive Policy and Governance (IIPG)
associated with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini hosted a National Conference on Changing
Scenario of Punjab due Emigration: Socio-Economic and Cultural perspectives on
December 18 at Jalandhar. IIPG is a Think Tank, subscribing to the educational agenda
of RSS, to undertake study and research of matters of interest and concern to
the country and the society at large particularly with regard to socio-economic
and cultural issues. The Conference on Emigration from
Punjab was one such activity
after successful conduct of Discussion on Punjab’s Agriculture Draft Policy,
2023 – Inclusive Agriculture Policy Reforms in Punjab: Pathways to Growth,
Equity and Sustainability and Punjab’s Health Transformation: From Grain Bowl
to Nutritional Bowl for Holistic Well-being. The printed reports on these two events were
formally released at the December 18 function.
It fell on me to be the Chief Guest and Key Note
Speaker at the Conference on Emigration from Punjab, an important and topical
subject to the socio-economic development of Punjab and national defense and security matters being a
border State with our known bête noire, Pakistan. It was gratifying to note
that it was a well arranged one-day function in which cross sections of the
intelligential participated not only as speakers and presenters but also a
highly discerning and quality audience. The inaugural session was fully
educative, informative and thought provoking.
Dr. Manish Jangid, Coordinating Dirctor of IIPG in his opening remarks
mentioned about the purpose and expected outcome of the Conference. Chairman of
IIPG, Advocate Baljinder Thakur welcomed the speakers and the audience for
gracing the occasion. Thanking the hosts, BJP Leader, Avinash Khanna
appreciated the IIPG’s initiative in picking up matters of interest and concern
to Punjab and the country and touched upon his own contribution to the issues
pertaining to emigration and related matters as an MP. Senior.jpeg)
Journalist and
Chief Editor of the Metro Encounter, Rakesh Shantidoot gave an overview of the issue
of emigration from Punjab and said it required an urgent and immediate
attention as it has direct implications for the development and progress of
Punjab. Executive Editor of the Ajit and a renowned columnist, Satnam Manak in
his thought provoking remarks touched the historical background of Emigration
from Punjab and referring to the current situation said that emigration from
Punjab not only had socio-economic implications but also for the defense and
security of the country being a border State. Dr. Sonia Chawla an Academic at
the Jalandhar NIT touched and rightly so the educative and academic aspect of
the issue of emigration and said that with a view to prepare or youth for
entering life with all knowledge and know-how we had appropriately incorporated
relevant inputs in the syllabus and.jpeg)
curriculum. Taking cue from the eminent
speakers who, almost all of them, expressed their worry and concern on the
emigration from Punjab in view of its adverse implications not only on the
economy but also on the social fabric of the society, I deviated a bit in my
Key Note address and said that emigration may not be seen as a problem but as
an opportunity. The need of the hour was to streamline the procedure and
control the negative fallout both by way of policy framework by the GOI and the
State Government and socio-cultural reforms with matching education and
training. Punjabi diaspora has been very alive and responsive traditionally and
historically for centuries and it has enough sense of belong to their roots in
Punjab fully dedicated to the socio-spiritual and socio-economic ethos of the
great Gurus. I concluded my remarks with some real life anecdotes as a diplomat
by touching the theme - “Emigration from Punjab: Policy Challenges, Gaps and Strategic
Interventions.” IIPG Research
Scholar, Kuljeet Kaur moderated the session skillfully and professionally.
Sood of Pathway Global Alliance,
Dr. Suman Preet of Punjabi University Patiala among others spoke on the various
aspects of the issue at hand; emigration from Punjab. With a good and pragmatic
approach to discuss the matter and listen to the actual players on the ground
that is Educational, Travel and Employment Constants called Agents in general
parlance were involved in the Conference thoughtfully. They;
Dhiraj Jaswal,
Ajay Goel, Sukant Trivedi among others spoke and set the matter in its right
perspective with regard to role of such Consultancy outfits as when in trouble
both the affected people and the concerned authorities tries to pass the bulk
on the so called Agents. The Conference, a good and productive activity,
concluded with the concluding remarks of BJP politician and community activist,
Rajesh Bagha and Vote of Thanks by Vice President of IIPG, Subodh Verma.
Being the Chief Guest and the Key Note
Speaker, I decided to sit throughout the Conference. I was again invited to
make my remarks, as reward or punishment (most of the speakers tend to leave
after their delivery) and I congratulated the IIPG for doing a good job with
regard to topical issue of Emigration from Punjab. The deliberations at the
Conference would certainly help in making sound and pragmatic policy in this
regard. Just to lift the mood and remind ourselves of the need to transform
India to ‘Vikshit Bharat’ I recited a stanza from Allma Iqbal’s poetry:
Aa, Ghairiat Ke Parde Ek Baar Phir Utha Dain
Bichron Ko Phir Mila Dain, Naqsh-e-Dooi Mita
Dain
(Come, let us lift suspicion’s thick curtains
once again,
Unite once more the sundered, wipe clean
division’s stain)
Sooni Pari Huwi Hai Muddat Se Dil Ki Basti
Aa, Ek Naya Shiwala Iss Dais Mein Bana Dain
(Too long has lain deserted the heart’s warm
habitation—
Come, build here in our homeland a new Shivalya)
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