It is February 12 and as the winter afternoon sun casts a shadow over the martyrs’ memorial of Nathowal in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, two men stand in front of a plaque bearing the names of 16 soldiers from this village who left and never returned. This monument is a reminder of how this village has always been: Faujiyan Da Pind (Soldiers’ village, in Punjabi).
Havildar Sudagar Singh, retired from the Sikh Light Infantry of the Indian Army, stands near the memorial to pay tribute and remember the sacrifice of the soldiers of his village. Of the approximately 1,400 households here, almost every second household has a member either retired or currently serving in the armed forces and paramilitary forces. During the Kargil war, more than 40 people from the village were serving in the army, out of which two were martyred.
The people of the village have gathered right next to the memorial. They sit in the sun to enjoy its warmth and exchange daily stories. Sudagar joins them. Discussions are underway to develop a new portrait museum of martyrs in a room near the existing memorial to inspire future generations. A parallel conversation unfolds about how fewer village youths are now joining the army.
“For decades, the olive green uniform has been the identity of Nathowal. Most families encouraged their sons to join the armed forces and took great honor and pride in it. But over the years, families have become willing to push their children in search of better opportunities, whether here (in India) or abroad,” says Jaswinder Singh, sarpanch (village head) and former head constable of the Border Security Force (BSF). One of the objectives of building this martyr memorial was to inspire people to fight for the country.
“About three decades ago, about 70%-75% of households had people in the armed and paramilitary forces; now it is 20%-25%,” says Jaswinder, while some elders urge for a museum, hoping that displaying photographs and stories of yesterday’s soldiers could inspire tomorrow.
The war memorial in Nathowal village, where veterans are considering building a photo museum to encourage young men to join the Indian Army. | Photo Courtesy: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
In January this year, the Indian Army made an emotional appeal to the youth in Punjab to join the Sikh Regiment, highlighting the regiment’s honors and awards. The press release said that the “real strength” of the regiment lies in the youth of Punjab. This 180 year old formation has taken part in both the world wars. Its motto is a quote by Guru Gobind Singh of the Sikhs: be determined and win (Ensure your victory with determination).
“Despite some manpower related challenges, the Sikh Regiment has continued to demonstrate high standards of performance and has consistently met the high expectations of the Indian Army,” the communication said.
tested by fire
Standing at the memorial where the names of Nathowal’s martyrs are engraved and preserved in black and gold tells about the reasons for the decline in army enrolment. It is not that Sudagar has stopped believing in the Army, but as a father, he is worried about the future of his children.
Pointing out the lack of job security after the central government’s Agneepath scheme, he says, “I am a proud soldier and always wanted my children to serve their country. In 2022, after the Agneepath scheme was launched, I stopped advising my son to join the army.” They have one child in college and the other in class 5.
Under the Agneepath scheme, young recruits sign up for 4 years, after which 75% of them will be sent home with a severance package. Only the remaining 25% could remain as permanent soldiers. “What if my son doesn’t succeed in the 25%? That’s my biggest fear. He’ll come back and start looking for jobs again,” says Sudagar, 53, who took premature retirement in 2017.
His 21-year-old son Ashpreet nods. “Instead of starting a job first, spending four years and then looking for a new job or career, it is better to invest a few more years in studies, get a degree and then settle into something permanent,” he says of the Agneepath scheme.
Gurdev Kaur, wife of Hakam Singh, in Nathowal village of Ludhiana district in Punjab. | Photo Courtesy: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
At a short distance from the memorial site, members of Hakam Singh’s joint family are in a somber mood. His health is deteriorating. Sitting next to her ailing husband, 82-year-old Gurdev Kaur, who cannot hear properly, says she once caught the words. He has 5 sons and 10 grandchildren. Two of his sons were in the army; He does not have any grandchildren. The army still does not recruit women into combat arms. “Three out of 10 are in Canada and three are in Dubai,” she says.
With tearful eyes Sukhpal Kaur, one of Hakam’s daughters-in-law, whose husband works as a laborer in Dubai and the elder son, now 26, recently joined, says, “Now the younger son, who has passed school, wants to go to Dubai because he feels the Agneepath scheme will not give him a stable future. Soon only my daughter and I will be left here,” she says.
economic migration
While the narrow streets and every other house of Nathowal tell a story of service, modern aspirations have in the last few years driven a large number of youth across Punjab to travel abroad in the hope of a better life.
According to a study by Ludhiana-based Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Punjab is witnessing a steady increase in migration: about 13.34% of rural households have at least one member abroad. Migration between the years 1990 to September 2022 was considered. The study, which measured the trends, causes and consequences of migration from rural Punjab, said, “Low income, fewer employment opportunities and corruption were the main factors cited behind foreign migration, as reported by families of migrants.”
Honorary Naib Subedar Harjinderpal Singh (retd), who served in the Sikh Light Infantry, a regiment raised in 1941, says, “I wanted my son to be in the army, but he was keen to go abroad. After school, he completed a course as a fitter from the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and two years ago, he moved to Canada. He is working in a cosmetic factory there.”
He says many of his son’s friends have moved abroad, mostly to England, Australia and Canada. “If there were good, well-paid jobs here that could support a family, I don’t think many of our youth would be fleeing abroad. Governments seriously need to bring in better employment opportunities.”
The birthplace of Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, a flying officer in the Indian Air Force who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, in Isewal village, Ludhiana. | Photo Courtesy: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap
He remembers 1986, the year he joined the army. “We were about 15 friends who joined forces together. I’m also planning to move to Canada with my family soon,” he says, bowing his head.
Naval Sub-Lieutenant Gurdeep Singh (retd) at the memorial site is also concerned about migration. He has a son in Australia; The other works in a private company in Ludhiana, one of the industrial cities of Punjab. He further said, “The physical fitness of many youth has been affected. I believe drug abuse may be one of the reasons for this.”
Hakam’s son, Harvinder Singh, a retired subedar from the army’s Bombay Engineer Group (BEG), feels that one reason for migration is that parents want to send their children suffering from drug problems away from the state. “My son and daughter wanted to go abroad after completing their college studies. They left about four years ago and now both of them are working in Canada and earning well,” says Harvinder.
Honorary Captain Gurdeep Singh (Retd), Subedar of 7 Sikh Regiment, says that he is motivating the youth of his village to join the army. He says, “I have trained 30-35 people in the last few months to join Agniveer. I don’t know how many people were selected. The physical test in army selection is a bit tough and it is a reality that many people are not able to clear the test these days.”
Last year, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also pointed out the lack of Punjabi youth in the Sikh Regiment. Speaking at an event, the Chief Minister said that the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command has informed him of these concerns. Mann had attributed this decline to migration and the problem of drug addiction among the youth.
vikas.vasudev@thehindu.co.in
Edited by Sunalini Mathew
