Punjab: One-fourth of the population of exile village is abroad

Punjab: As people were visiting the house of a man deported from the US in Tahli village of Hoshiarpur, a neighbour was busy bursting crackers as his son’s name was approved by that country for the coveted Green Card. Despite the “return in handcuffs” of a fellow resident, the villagers’ dream of going abroad is still not over. At least 300 to 400 people from Tahli village have settled abroad. The current population of this village is around 1,600. Similarly, in Bhadas village of Kapurthala, huge mansions testify to the exodus abroad. Bhadas village currently has 5,000 to 6,000 voters, according to official records. More than 800 people from the village have settled abroad. The village sarpanch said that even according to conservative estimates, at least 1,000 people from the village have migrated abroad over time. Those deported from the US include a woman, whose husband is already abroad, and her 10-year-old son. The deported woman’s husband is also in the US. Lakhvir Singh, a panchayat member of Tahli village, said when Harvinder Singh, one of those deported from the US, returned home, ironically, there were celebrations at a villager’s house because his 18-year-old son had been approved for a green card, which ensures permanent residency in the US. “The youth had left three-four years ago. Another resident’s 15-year-old son is currently in a detention camp. He may or may not be deported. Many villagers have gone to various places. But the practice of going by the donkey route is the most disturbing,” he said. Lakhvir, whose own son-in-law is a permanent resident in the US, said, “I sent my daughter and two grandsons to the US last year. But that is because he (son-in-law) is a permanent resident. We cannot even imagine sending our family or going ourselves illegally.” The recent deportations have once again brought to the fore the dangers of travelling abroad illegally. While many continue to try their luck, the deportations will certainly discourage many in the future, he said. Nishan Singh, sarpanch of Bhadas village, said, “We have seen a change in the village with the exodus of people. At least three-four families sold land to go abroad. They started sinking into huge debts. However, many rags to riches stories have also been seen. Those who went abroad are coming back and building big mansions. The recent deportations are heartbreaking and it is clear that they are going to cause a lot of trouble in the times to come. It is sad for those who have been deported.”