I feel I am losing face amongst relatives and friends because none of my offspring is planning to settle in any ‘foren’ land. In fact, most of my acquaintances and relatives have already sent their children to North America, Europe or Oceania. I often introspect- has there been a lacuna in my parenting? In England, the conversation usually gets initiated by talking about the weather in the British Isles. In Punjab it is often about the weather in Canada. Notwithstanding the tu tu main main between the Indian and the Canadian authorities, Canada is still exerting considerable pull though alternative options like Australia, New Zealand, UK and USA are also gaining ground. It is not just the rural Sikhs- nowadays all classes and communities in Punjab are ever-ready to pack their bags.
In fact, the population of Punjab can be divided into three categories- those who are already settled abroad (the ones who splurge during their visit to India), those who are trying or planning to get a visa (they are often found praying in religious places) and the ones who are content to stay put in the homeland (thought to be freaks). Then there is a special category of people who straddle des and pardes- these are the parents and loved ones of the emigrants. They fly on a jetliner to do sightseeing or to help out their children and then get back to their base. Last year, my friend’s wife went abroad for a few months and he had to fend for himself. After acquiring good cooking skills (of course because of majboori), he wasted no time in putting up a post on social media with the heading- declaration of independence.
I can’t help feeling envious when one of my friends announces that he and his wife are going to Vancouver in Canada to be with their married daughter. He says with an upturned nose, ‘Are you aware that the air in the Canadian Rockies is amongst the cleanest on the planet? It is sold all over the globe.’ I nod in agreement though I categorize the latter part of his statement as a fable. He continues, ‘In future, me and my wife are going to have the best of both worlds- by spending summers in Canada and winters in India. It is never too late. Send your kids abroad for the sake of their future.’ I take his advice with a pinch of salt. India is likely to become a developed country in the future though with aberrations like wrong side driving, caste based matrimonials and cacophony in the streets.
The risk of cultural shock is real, especially for the oldies. A relative of ours was told by her granddaughter in Canada, ‘Grandma, why mom and dad are so inseparable. Many of my classmates have their father and mother living separately. So, they have double the fun- more holiday trips, more gifts and more eating out!’.
Reverse migration is an interesting trend that has emerged recently. I am hoping to get back some of the good friends I had lost to Canada and USA!
Jas Kohli is a noted humour writer. He is the author of three bestselling humour novels, ‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’, ‘Lights! Scalpel! Romance!’, and ‘Anything to Look Hot’.