Shinder S. Thandi

The Punjab paradox: understanding the failures of Diaspora engagement

Punjabi Diaspora is one of the oldest of the ‘free’ Indian regional Diasporas with a history of over 125 years. Given this long history it would not be surprising to learn that it is economically, socially and politically well positioned in its host countries. Further, although globally dispersed, it is predominantly located in the three economically advanced countries of the USA, the UK and Canada, thereby enhancing its potential to play a significant role in homeland development. Yet despite this, compared to other regional Diasporas, it continues to have a troubled, almost Janus-type relationship, with the Punjab state. This is reflected in the lack of a constructive engagement between them, with both Diaspora communities and state governments continuing to make hollow promises. The paper explores the reasons behind the failure in developing a constructive engagement, focusing on the socio-economic characteristics of the Punjabi Diaspora and the nature of Punjabs as well as Indias outreach policies. It is argued that recent trends in the evolution of overseas Punjabi communities and nature of the economic and political environment in Punjab act as formidable barriers towards building a partnership for development. It does seem paradoxical, especially in the context of current debates on the Diaspora-development nexus, that despite being once the most prosperous state in India with a rich and vibrant Diaspora, Punjab should still continue to slide down the economic league table of Indian states.

Educated millennial Sikhs: Higher education, social mobility and identity formation among British Sikh youth

ABSTRACT Large scale Sikh male migration to Britain in the 1950s gave way to family re-unions, leading to the development of vibrant Sikh communities across major cities and emergence of a millennial second and third generation Sikh youth. This chapter specifically identifies and evaluates higher education and labour market experiences of these millennial Sikhs. It argues mass participation in higher education produced differential outcomes, with a small upper segment becoming high achievers but a large bottom segment unable to realise the full potential. Further, these experiences had varied effects on their identity formation, with some moving away from their parental religion whilst others (re)embracing their tradition and adopting Sikh articles of faith. Finally, these differential experiences have also contributed to the widening of socio-economic differentiation within the British Sikh community as a whole and on potential for upward social mobility.

Diversities, Continuities and Discontinuities of Tradition in the Contemporary Sikh Diaspora: Gender and Social Dimensions

The 2 million strong Sikh Punjabi diaspora, now predominantly located in the rich countries of the West, emerged during the colonial and postcolonial period spanning over 145 years. As a diaspora, it exhibits all the diversity and heterogeneity expected in any diasporan community. Thus, periods of migration and settlement, economic and political status, class, caste, gender, religion and locality define the heterogeneity within the Sikh Punjabi diaspora. In fact, it may be more accurate to state that there are many Sikh diasporas. This heterogeneity and diversity generates inter-generational tensions, discourses on nature of diaspora identities and modes of engagements with the homeland. Needless to say, conflicts over tradition to be transmitted, extent to which it is adapted or reinvented generates continuities but also discontinuities, demonstrating considerable diversity in the lived experiences and practices of diasporan Sikhs. This paper explores several community tensions, which have risen to the fore in recent years, especially as they pertain to family life and gender relations. The latter sections of the paper examines different narratives on the position of Sikh women in the domestic and workplace domains, role of education and social mobility, challenges posed by transnational marriages and rise in domestic violence.

Unpacking the “Diaspora-Development” Mantra: Does Punjabi Diaspora Have the Potential to Contribute to the Rejuvenation of Punjab’s Economy?

Punjabi diaspora is now over 2 million strong and ranks as one of the oldest of the “free” Indian regional diasporas with a history of over 125 years. Given this long history, large segments of this diaspora are economically, socially and politically well settled and positioned in their adopted countries. This paper tries to unpack the current economic relationship between Punjab and its diaspora. An attempt is made to assess the current and potential contribution that Punjabi diaspora makes or can make to the Punjab economy by examining the motives, aspirations and abilities of the main factors involved. It will also consider, taking examples from other diasporas, how and why Punjabi diaspora’s potential contribution continues to be poorly mobilised and underutilised. It is argued that a major reason for this is the absence of a constructive engagement between the state government and diaspora communities, despite the populist rhetoric emanating from both.