I have lived in the Punjab for a total of five years. I was astonished to read what you wrote above. There was absolutely nothing like what you have described. On the contrary, the root of the problem was to try and trump the political domination of the Jat Sikh, working through the SGPC and its political reflection, the Shiromani Akali Dal, by creating a counterweight, a group of an even more assertive nature that outshone the Akali Dal.
Neither in the Indira Gandhi time nor afterwards did anything like this happen.
Hope you are doing fine, our perspectives differ don't take it personally, you were an outsider, I am not despite being Pakistani. As I have mentioned when I speak to Sikhs of east punjab in my mother punjabi they recognize it immediately, as originating from a place which is highly respected and when the older gen knows about my family well that's a different story, I am their kin, their child and I have experienced the same respect wherever I met Sikhs. It would be strange for many Indians to know that my family means my grandfather/my father/i/my elder son are still owners of a very old house, no more I want to maintain my anonymity.
So what I mentioned were the accounts shared to me by the Punjabis on East side, this is what they feel, I did not touch upon internal rifts between different factions as it was not needed. But your account may also be valid its just the other side of the story, it however does relate to my assertion about resistance to change in India in the other thread where I wanted to contribute and asked if you'd be able to prevent it turning into a heap of garbage which attracts every sort of critter, anyways.
It's actually a good observation that I concur with. But most of these Sikhs aren't FOB's: They have lived outside India for 1-2, sometimes 2-3 generations.
The ones left behind in India follow a very different culture.
Ah the man from the country of my first job, I agree the difference between expats and residents is there but even the expats are desperately trying to stick to their roots (the elder gen of course).
For me its enough they still speak Punjabi, still use the same curses, still easy going, down to earth and funny.
So many adventures of mine from in and around central business district, little india, geylang serai.
On a different note not related to both of you I have no idea why using the word "punjabi" and our cultural comparison with india tends to attract filth from both side who despite have sh*t experience of travelling to the other side, or for that matter travelling internationally or for that mater interacting with the other side are forcefully sure about their assertions that they want everyone to agree with them, well scum is scum will be. As they say in my local version people will reflect their background no matter how rich they become.
