Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are increasingly becoming pivotal in shaping the political landscape of Jalandhar’s villages, advocating for the election of unopposed sarpanches to foster development and curb petty politics.
In the villages of Ucha and Musapur, NRIs have successfully persuaded local residents to elect their village heads without opposition. This unanimous selection has paved the way for focused development initiatives, free from the distractions of factionalism.
Sukhbir Singh, the newly elected sarpanch of Ucha, emphasized the NRIs’ commitment to transparent utilization of funds. “The NRIs want that the money they send for development works should be utilized in a proper manner. Upgradation of the government dispensary and construction of a library are my priorities,” he stated.
Similarly, Rajwinder Kaur was unanimously chosen as the sarpanch of Musapur, a village of 500 inhabitants. “The NRIs don’t like groupism in villages. Solid waste management is my priority,” Kaur explained. Nanak Singh, an NRI from England with roots in Musapur, expressed satisfaction over the harmonious election process. “We are happy that the villagers listened to us. Now, there will be no infighting in the village,” he remarked over the phone.
However, the influence of NRIs has not been uniformly effective across all villages. In Sann Kalan and Dosanjh Khurd villages of Banga, Nawanshahr, efforts to secure unanimous sarpanch elections have fallen short. Shaminder Singh, an NRI based in the UK from Sall Kalan, voiced his disappointment. “We are disappointed as we couldn’t succeed in our motive. When there is ‘party baazi’ in villages, it creates problems in the development of the society as a whole,” he lamented. Shaminder highlighted that unanimous elections could have unlocked funds of Rs 5 lakh for development, fostering harmony among residents. “If the villagers weren’t ready to listen to the NRIs, then why should they help them,” he added.
The contested elections in Sall Kalan saw candidates like Harpreet Singh urging for immediate attention to pressing local issues. “There are several issues which need to be addressed at the earliest,” Singh asserted, reflecting the ongoing challenges in achieving consensus.
The mixed outcomes across these villages underscore the complex dynamics between NRIs and local politics. While some communities have embraced the vision of united leadership for sustainable development, others continue to grapple with internal divisions that hinder collective progress.
As NRIs persist in their efforts to promote transparent and effective governance, the future of village administration in Jalandhar may well hinge on their ability to bridge divides and inspire a shared commitment to development.
