National Conference – Changing Scenario of Punjab due Emigration: Socio-Economic and Cultural perspectives

 

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

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

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.

 

The proceeded with following sessions aptly steered by yet other Research Scholars, Charu Gumber and Dr. Bharti of IIPG. Prominent opinion makers, retired bureaucrats, NRIs, entrepreneurs, intellectuals and academics like Retired IPS Kulwant Singh Heer, NRI Sat Paul of BRHF of UK, Dr. Tabish Hashmi of LPU, Udai
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)