Reflecting on the Punjab 2012 Elections

Guest post by Nirbhau Kaur

[Admin note: This post was penned by the author the morning after election results were made public in Punjab.]

Pain. Disgust. Hurt. Dread. Longing. Connect, then Disconnect.

For the first time I felt these feelings in relation to Punjab – a land where I was not born, a land where I was not raised, a land that I didn’t truly experience until my early 20’s. Nonetheless, it is my father’s land, my Nana Ji’s land, my ancestors’ land. It is my land.

Today, there were countless social media updates reminding me of the five years of horror that Punjab is about to experience. For a small group of people, today was victorious. For a state full of people, today was just another reminder of their dark future. As the Badal family begins another five years of power in Punjab, the socially aware predict increased farmer suicides, increased drug and alcohol addictions, increased poverty. And the most grave prediction of them all, an end to Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiat.

Today, we express our disgust with the Badals and our sorrow for the future of Punjab. Not just today, but whenever there is an event to remember or increase awareness of  any tragic situation in Punjab, be it farmer suicides or the despair in which the families of the shaheeds are surviving, we, as diasporic Punjabis, express deep sympathy. We speak of a need for change, we inspire, and we become inspired, but only in the appropriate setting. Shortly afterward, most of us move onto focus on our lives here, outside of Punjab.

Today, let’s be reminded that talking will get us nowhere. We’ll be left chatting about what was done wrong, who did what wrong, what needs to be done, what should be done, and who should do it. When we finally look up from our chats over cha there will be no Punjab. No homeland.

Punjab has already been torn apart – Punjabis on both sides of the India-Pakistan border long to cross to the other side, but are held back by fear and violence. In the diaspora we proudly label ourselves – East Punjab vs. West Punjab. Today, let’s stop weakening ourselves with these divisions. Let’s save what we have. When we have power over our motherland, when our people are free in your motherland; I think we will earn the right to say we have achieved something worthwhile. After all, many of our parents left Punjab for better opportunities and a better life for their children. Our parents have given us the most valuable opportunities – education, freedom, and a voice. Let’s not waste these trying to infinitely improve our own lifestyles. Let’s use these opportunities to improve the lifestyle of the people in our homeland. Use these opportunities to save your history, your language, and your Punjab.

Don’t just take a moment today, take a few moments everyday, every week to understand the circumstances in Punjab. When you have the opportunity, go to Punjab, connect with your roots, your people, and your land. Understand the hurt behind those warm, welcoming smiles showering you with hospitality.

I don’t have the golden idea that will save Punjab from selfish politicians. I don’t know how to un-corrupt punjab. I don’t know how to end the oppression. But, I do have a yearning in my heart to keep Punjab alive. I want to take my friends to Punjab. One day, I want to take my kids to Punjab, and maybe even my grandkids. But, this shouldn’t be a maybe because I don’t know if Punjab will still exist, it should be a maybe only because I don’t know if I will still exist. I don’t want my generation, or the next generation, or any generation to know a disgusting, confused, defeated Punjab. I want them to know and experience a Punjab so rich in culture they will be made confident; a Punjab so strong in its values they will be inspired; a Punjab so valuable, they will never let it be lost.

Don’t just express your remorse and disgust on social media today. Don’t be outrageous in your disgust. Ask yourself, what can I do for Punjab? What WILL I do for Punjab? Then, actually step forward and do something. I’m not asking you to take the next flight to Punjab. I’m just asking you to connect yourself with Punjab. Start today and truly make an effort to save the five rivers.