Let's get started
Punjabi youth is spending more time on morchas and bandhs than in schools, colleges and libraries.
What Ails Punjab
Punjab has become a prisoner of it’s boisterous old stereotype but has meanwhile forgotten its entrepreneurial energy and it’s competitive spirit. It’s young are dropping out of school and hitting on to drugs
Or making a wild dash for West, not for Tech, Banking, Management or Medical pursuits but for sub optional jobs like driving taxis/ trucks or chopping vegetables in the backrooms of desi restaurants
Punjab lost its national stature in sports long ago. It now almost never registers its presence in national or International competitions. Balbir Singh, one of world’s greatest sporting icon and triple gold medallist in hockey, once summed it up with misty eyes: “sab khatam kar diya ji drugs ne. Ab yeh woh Punjab ka youth nahi hai. Woh to khokhla ho gaya hai”
Once celebrated for its huge representation in armed forces, the lure of uniform for Punjabi youth is on a fast decline. Today most recruitment rallies in Punjab go back with vacancies, the young either disinclined or sadly physically inadequate.
A recent government study suggest that more than 8,60,000 young men in the state between ages of 15 to 35 take some form of drug. One estimate says that more than 2/3rd of Punjab’s households have at least one addict in the family. Drug consumption is three times the national average.
A mother of three sons all lost to drugs now, Manjit Kaur is inconsolable. Lack of opportunities and more importantly, lack of hope pushed her sons into drugs. Drug abuse is a raging epidemic and has shaken the entire society in the state which stares at losing an entire generation to drugs.
Once known for it's sporting culture and producing highest number of medal winners, Punjab is fast losing ground in nurturing young talent. In recent Birmingham Commonwealth games, Punjab athletes did not win even a single gold medal. The best by a Punjab athlete was a silver. It's neighbouring state, .....
Punjab, once proudly boasted of highest representation in the armed forces. Recruitment rallies were a huge success with parents encouraging their sons to seek career in the Force. Tall, lanky and stout turbaned Sardars made a big chunk of the Officers’ cadre. Sadly, this is all past now. Last three years data .....
Satnam Singh is visiting the village gurudwara to thank God for his Study Visa to Canada. “Where are the jobs in Punjab, for that matter anywhere in the country? Jobs are handful and there is sifarish and whatever is left goes to reservation.” Apart from paucity of jobs, students of state seem to be victims of lack of ....
Way Forward
Absolutely, Punjab indeed faces significant challenges, particularly concerning the lack of clear path for it’s youth. While governmental support may have been lacking, there’s always a way forward. Governments will come and will go. They have been insensitive to the needs of citizens since ages. Did Guru Nanak Devji not say” Raje sinh mukaddam kutte” Don’t expect they are going to change now. It’s crucial for the younger generation to seize control of their destinies. Relying solely on protests, dharnas and demonstrations might not bring about the desired change. Instead, focusing on personal growth is key. By dedicating themselves to education and pursuing professional careers like medicine, engineering, law, or joining the armed forces, individuals can uplift not only themselves but also their families from poverty and hardship. Each person’s success contributes to the progress of Punjab as a whole. The future lies in the hands of the youth and by empowering themselves through education and hard work, they can certainly shape a brighter tomorrow for the state.
