Satwant Singh Rissam
Historically, large number of Sikhs in J and K came in as a result of migration. Post partition, many Sikh families moved to Indian side of J and K. Initially, life for all of them was a rebirth wherein they lived to survive on new land which was not their homeland. There were few among them who in initial days thought of going back to their homes once the unrest settles. However, after some time these migrated Sikhs families realised that their homes were now an alien land and far away. So these families started to work hard to earn respect and in turn even succeeded later to get to respectable positions in J and K. It was a difficult phase for whole Sikh community but their dedication made them to survive. They received good share of social standing in all fields after some years in J and K.
Interestingly, migration could be considered normal if it is because of natural reason. But in case of Sikhs it was social and political compulsions which made them to move from their homes. Sikh families who migrated and settled in J and K formerly belonged to community of farmers, police officers, army servants, revenue employees and even businessman. Of them some were highly educated as Lahore, known for educational institutions at that time, was close to the areas they earlier lived in. But the miserable situation of life changed their status as they came to this side of border. Now no one was poor and no one was rich, what was left was just a will to survive on new land. The Sikh families which came to Jammu settled at colonies like Guru Nanak Nagar, Bhour Camp, Simbal Camp, Badyal Brahmna, Bandhurakh etc. Those days when these areas were inhabited by migrated Sikhs it was not less than a jungle. These were the most far flung areas of Jammu as Jammu was limited to only old city. All the families shared the equal pain of very less water, no roads, no electricity etc in these areas.
But those were the old days, now you visit these areas and it gives you a sense of growth the Sikh community has been able to achieve in J and K. The kids of those migrated parents are now well settled, some doing jobs and some have become businessman. This growth in life is reflected in some of the families as generational shift has brought some good old days for them in J and K. One of the reasons for growth in these areas is that the next generation of these settled Sikh parents are now immigrating to foreign countries like USA, UK, Australia, Canada and even to Europe. This stratum of youth is immigrating by choice and their grandparents were not given a chance to make choice when they left their homes. Some people in Sikh community feel that this rising immigration is like same situation which their grandparents faced i.e. life of inconvenience in new country where settling is a big task. It is said that for these immigrating youth an average time taken for settlement in foreign country is three months. These first three months are the most difficult ones, as from getting a job to finding a place to live, are the tasks which are needed to be fulfilled. They in beginning move at someone’s house who is known to them, however that is temporary shelter not a permanent one. In matters relating to job also they face exploitation at hands of natives there. This new generation of Sikh youth is believed to be moving for greener pastures in terms of living standard, money and luxuries which these countries provide. In addition to it, there are many problems ranging from religion to food habits which they have to face. There are some cases where we see youth succumbing to the social pressure. In turn, they leave behind all religious and social values they came with. Interestingly, this craze of going to foreign countries is so much in Sikh youth that they are even ready to go in illegal manner and later languish in jails there. Another method which is famous and easy is ‘spouse visa method’ wherein getting the visa to visit these countries is bit easier.
It is pertinent to mention here that there are many success stories also of Sikh youth from J and K who have flourished abroad. Nowadays there is no lane in these Sikh colonies of Jammu from where a youth has not landed on foreign shores. However, life rules each individual differently and it is not necessary that all get the same. There are also some cases, where youth are immigrating just because of peer pressure. In such cases they return back after facing several problems and even losing out money. The growing system of immigration depicts a life cycle in which migrated parents built a nest for their family and now these youth are leaving that nest to further develop a one for them. Incidentally, youth is very important for every society and it’s a treasure of every community. So for Sikh community today, it’s like losing out this treasure because of every single immigration. The process is slow yet effective and its result will be visible only after some few more years. We cannot prevent the growth but surely prevent the growing need and desires of this generation which takes them away from their homes and families.
