Youth & Politics in Punjab: A Rising Force: Ranjandeep Singh, 22, a resident of Malot town in Muktsar district of Punjab, belongs to an ordinary farmer family. He completed his BA degree in 2023 and today he is preparing to go abroad – the reason is clear, here he is not getting a job commensurate with his education and hard work.
Village boy, big dream
Ranjandeep’s village is Karamgarh and his family has 4-5 acres of land. Farming is the main source of income, but it is not profitable enough to cover all the household expenses. In such a situation, Ranjandeep looked for a job locally to stand on his own feet after graduation.
Initially, he got a job as a security guard in a private company, but he got very little salary there and the long working hours were affecting his health. He left this job after two months.
After this, he worked as a sales person in a pesticide company, but there too the low salary and unstable future disappointed him.
Finally decided to go abroad
Today, Ranjandeep is preparing for IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and plans to take the exam next month. His dream is to go to Canada and study and work there, so that he can improve his and his family’s life.
“I have given up hope of getting a job here. I need a job that is respectable and pays enough to support myself and my family. So I have decided to go abroad,” says Ranjandeep.
This is not just Ranjandeep’s story.
Such stories have become common in Punjab today. Unemployment and the lack of jobs for youth in line with their education have made thousands of youth consider going abroad as the only option.
How serious is the situation?
- According to CMIE (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy), the unemployment rate among youth in Punjab is above the national average.
- Especially for students of arts, humanities and commerce, who do not have a technical degree, the opportunities are even less.
- Many youth get a salary of Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per month in private companies – which is neither respect nor stability.
Why is the competition to go abroad increasing?
- Better standard of living: Even the minimum wages abroad are much higher than Indian standards.
- Stability and opportunity: There is a high demand for skill-based jobs in developed countries.
- Family pressure and expectations: There is a social trend in villages that “the one who has gone abroad is successful.”
- Promotion of agents and consultancies: There is a flood of agencies sending people abroad in every city and town.
Challenges are also not less
Although it is not bad to dream of studying and working abroad, it also involves many difficulties:
- IELTS preparation and fees: For a normal student, it costs Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000.
- Visa approval: Sometimes the process is long and there is a possibility of rejection.
- Expensive education and living cost: Living in countries like Canada, Australia is not cheap.
- Mental pressure and loneliness: It is not easy to bear the struggling life alone in a foreign country.
Role of the Government
Recently, the Punjab government has launched schemes like “Har Ghar Rozgar Mission”, but questions are being raised on how effective these schemes are at the ground level. Most of the youth say that they are not getting “work as per their qualifications”.
The government should:
- Make skill development more effective at the local level.
- Increase employment opportunities in the private sector.
- Make a concrete policy to involve youth in agriculture and MSME sector.
Conclusion
Ranjandeep Singh’s dream is not just his – it is the story of thousands of youth in Punjab, who are struggling to stay on their land despite a good education. If opportunities for respectable and sustainable employment are not increased in the country, this trend of “brain drain” will intensify.
