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SARDAR LACHHMAN SINGH
A TYPICAL SIKH FAMILY STORY-MOVEMENT ABROAD
Sardar Lachhman Singh (1900-1984) from Sialkot/Sargodha Districts
of West Punjab was a typical Jat Sikh background who moved from
Narowal to Sargodha in the newly set up canal colonies by the
British. This was also Migration. Being the only son, the land
inheritance was sufficient to dig roots. This got fortified
through a degree in Agriculture and a Government job. His sisters
got married to Jat Sikhs one with inherited farm land and the
other to a graduate with a Government job. Lachhman’s
wife was from a well-to-do farming family. There was no incentive
to migrate abroad because of sufficient farm holdings and because
of continuing up ward movement socially through Government jobs.
The first exposure of Lachhman outside Punjab was the appointment
for 3 years in Bharatpur state of Maharaja Era. Partition of
Punjab in 1947 was an up setting event and the various members
of the family had to readjust like several others. There was
still no urge or incentive to migrate abroad. However exposure
of family members settled in Doaba region was to have an impact
but much later. The children by and large did better in financial
or employment terms, as will be evident from details to follow,
resulting in upwards social status. No migration overseas took
place. The next generation moved outwards. Why? Read on and
draw your own conclusions. My views appear at the end.
The first foray was by Lachhman Singh’s second son, Swarn,
to USA for higher studies in 1958. It was an aberration in a
way. The commitment was to get a higher degree, get some valuable
job experience and return to follow the traditional route of
settling down in India hoping for better prospects through overseas
qualifications. A full scholarship helped as otherwise it was
a “No Go” deal. On return in 1961, there were short
term irritating hiccups in settling down, and getting a satisfying
job. Being selected by a British multinational, Imperial Chemical
Industries, the largest foreign enterprise in India at that
time, settled the issue of India v/s USA. These Corporates called
Companies provided a western working environ, with good salaries
and more importantly excellent perquisites and life style with
memberships of elite Clubs, social or golf. You were in India
but part of an elite set up with western oriented job and social
environ. Expatriate staff was still present in significant numbers.
Calcutta was a city with excellent clubs, restaurants and cocktail
party culture. This is several decades before this culture became
popular with all and sundry (at that time we felt like that)... |
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