Chandigarh witnessed a critical discourse on the future of Punjab, where a panel of eminent experts highlighted the state's deep-seated challenges and the urgent need for a strategic revival. The discussion, titled "Contemporary Punjab: Challenges and solutions," was organized by the Chandigarh Citizens Foundation (CCF) at the CRRID office in Sector 19 on Monday.
A Legacy of Resistance and Perceived Injustice
Former chief secretary of Punjab, Ramesh Inder Singh, set the tone by tracing a persistent sentiment in the state's psyche. He stated that Punjab carries a long-standing sense of discrimination dating back to the pre-Independence era, which continues to influence public reactions to issues of perceived injustice. "Resisting injustice is deeply embedded in Punjab's value system," Singh asserted. He illustrated his point by citing the recent Panjab University protests as a modern example, emphasizing that the people of the state do not stay silent when they feel wronged.
Singh delivered a stark warning, declaring that Punjab is facing multiple legacy issues and is now at a tipping point. For revival, he stressed the critical need to leverage the state's core strengths: its human capital, inherent risk-taking capacity, and strong sense of social equity to achieve diversified and balanced growth. While acknowledging welfare measures like free bus travel for women, he noted they reduce individual economic burden but cautioned that reforms are often politically motivated. "Reforms are only brought in when they serve political power gaining or retention," he remarked.
Agricultural Decline and Industrial Downturn: A Dual Crisis
Delivering the keynote address, former Chief Justice of India, Justice J S Khehar (retd), drew from his personal connections with Punjab's agriculture and industry, particularly in Ludhiana. He painted a concerning picture of the state's farming sector, which is reeling from depleting groundwater, outdated practices, and limited technological adoption. Recalling the post-Independence push for food self-sufficiency, Justice Khehar warned that Punjab now faces severe threats of desertification and soil degradation.
The crisis is not confined to farms. Justice Khehar also highlighted a parallel downturn in industry, linking it directly to rising unemployment, outward migration, and increasing debt burdens. He flagged several other pressing concerns for the state:
- Declining standards in education
- The ongoing financial crisis at Panjab University
- The pervasive drug problem
Despite Punjab's high ranking on the human development index, he argued that better utilization of this human resource could create an educated workforce capable of driving sustainable growth.
Consensus on the Path Forward
The third panelist, Dr. Upinder Sawhney, former professor of Panjab University, emphasized the indispensable role of innovation, social inclusion, and active community participation in crafting sustainable solutions for Punjab's multifaceted problems.
The event, attended by civil society members, academics, and retired administrators, was welcomed by Smt Vini Mahajan, IAS (retd), vice-president of CCF, who reiterated the foundation's goal of promoting informed public discourse.
The discussion concluded with a significant consensus: while agriculture remains vital for any nation's survival, it cannot alone sustain Punjab's growth without substantial government support. All participants agreed that the state's future hinges on successful diversification into industry, large-scale employment generation, structural economic transformation, and the effective deployment of its human resources.
