Why Dosanjh Kalan villagers love to travel abroad

• For Dosanjh Kalan’s youth certain concerns do little to deter their determination to migrate

• The dream of a life abroad remains stronger than the risks involved

PRAVASISAMWAD.COM

The village of Dosanjh Kalan in Punjab’s Jalandhar district exemplifies the deep-rooted desire to migrate abroad. Of an estimated 1,000 houses, nearly 400 remain locked as their owners have moved overseas in search of a better future, reported tribuneindia.com.

A Legacy of Migration and Success

The global recognition of the ‘Dosanjh’ surname is often attributed to its residents moving abroad. Long before singer Diljit Dosanjh gained fame, Ujjal Dosanjh became the premier of British Columbia, Canada. Inspired by such success stories, young students in the village aspire to follow the same path. Ramandeep, a school student, confidently states, “All these big names found success only after they left home. So shall we one day.”

Migration, both legal and illegal, remains a common practice in the village. Even the recent deportation of 104 illegal Indian immigrants, including Punjabis, from the US has not deterred people’s ambitions.

The Locked Homes and Silent Streets

A well-known saying in the region is, “If you can’t find success, pick up the lock.” This sentiment is evident in Dosanjh Kalan, where nearly half the homes are abandoned as families have relocated abroad. Some have not returned in decades, leaving behind locked houses secured with barbed wires, CCTV cameras, and alarm systems.

The village’s youth look up to NRIs and their achievements. “Every student entering senior secondary school immediately connects with an immigration agent and applies for a visa,” shares retired principal Gian Singh Dosanjh. Even those initially hesitant, like his daughter, eventually settle abroad, drawn by the prospects of a better lifestyle.

Sukhdev Singh, a senior resident, explains that out of 3,500 registered voters, less than half remain to cast their votes. In some families, three generations have lived abroad, leaving their ancestral homes vacant for over a decade.

• California-based Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the North American Punjabi Association, estimates that nearly 40,000 Punjabis are living in the US illegally

• Following President Donald Trump’s executive order on expedited removals, panic-stricken families are making frantic calls to immigration lawyers

The Fear of Deportation and Changing US Policies

Despite the fascination with foreign lands, fear has crept into some Punjabi villages following deportations from the US. Sukhdeep Singh, a resident of nearby Lallian village, was recently deported, triggering panic. Many undocumented Punjabis in the US avoid going to work, fearing random document checks and deportation.

Jaspreet Singh, an attorney-at-law in the US, highlights that deportation cases have a massive backlog of 3.7 million. The new order allows immigration officers to bypass court hearings, leading to faster deportations. Legal experts argue this violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, with advocacy groups planning to challenge it in court.

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