In recent years, there's been an undeniable trend in Punjab – the desire to move abroad. Whether it’s for studies, work, or just the allure of a "better life," this migration fever has gripped our community. However, it’s crucial to pause and ask: is life abroad really as picture-perfect as it’s made out to be?
Before the internet age, people in Punjab had little exposure to the outside world. They didn’t compare themselves to others so obsessively. But with the rise of social media, the narrative has shifted. Now, everyone is eager to showcase their success, especially when living abroad. Pictures of luxurious lifestyles, fancy cars, and foreign vacations dominate our feeds, creating an illusion that moving overseas is the golden ticket to happiness and success.
But the reality is often far from what is shown online. Many of our people work extremely hard abroad, often doing jobs they would never consider doing back in India. Yet, on social media, they portray a life of ease and wealth, perpetuating this myth. This illusion pushes others from Punjab to chase the same dream, often without considering the sacrifices involved.
One significant trend that’s emerged is people selling or mortgaging their ancestral land just to afford the cost of studying or settling abroad. The dream of earning in dollars or pounds has led many families to go into debt, thinking it’s a worthwhile investment. But is it really? After years of struggling with strict immigration policies and working day and night to secure permanent residency, many return to India with the sole aim of flaunting their success – building lavish homes they rarely live in or hosting extravagant weddings to impress others.
I often wonder why our people, who leave India for better opportunities, feel the need to maintain a facade of wealth. They invest in properties or businesses back home, despite knowing they may never return to live there. Meanwhile, their life abroad is often filled with loans and mortgage payments, barely allowing them to enjoy the wealth they’ve worked so hard to accumulate.
Isn’t it ironic? We migrate abroad to escape financial pressures but eventually find ourselves entangled in another form of the same competition and struggles. Our pursuit of wealth in foreign lands is often short-lived, as the cost of living and endless loans consume much of what we earn.
Many blame politics for the situation back home, and yes, corruption and poor governance play their part. But let’s not forget that we, too, are contributors to the problem. If India is struggling, part of that blame lies with us. Instead of showing off our success, why don’t we focus on contributing to our personal growth and the development of our homeland?
We need to break free from this toxic cycle of showing off. We must shift our focus from impressing others to genuine self-progress. I know everyone’s life is their own, and they have the right to make their own choices. But the obsession with going abroad is leading us nowhere. One day, the craze will fade, but by then, it might be too late for many.
Why burden yourself with 30-year mortgages or loans for things you don't really need? If you already own a home in India, why not live a simpler, more fulfilling life? In the end, what will all this material wealth give you? Just a fleeting sense of pride?
Life is short – we get only one chance. Enjoy it. Don’t waste it on mindless show-off and societal pressures. Instead, learn from the Western world’s culture, where financial independence and personal satisfaction come first, not the need to impress others.
If we don’t, we’ll continue to live the same struggles, no matter which country we call home.