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  1. As a typical UK born Punjabi, I along with many others, whose ancestors came from the Punjab, (Amritsar in my case) or other parts migrated to the Britain back in the early 50's and 60's. We along with many other Sikh communities and Indians in general from back home, came over for a better life and opportunities. We western born British Sikhs are considered ' the lucky ones'. The ones that escaped the harsh life of India at the time and were able to improve our welfare and fortunes by being able to have the means to get a ship and ticket to the so-called promised land. Think about it, out of millions of Punjabis, our ancestors where select few who managed to get here while so many others just like us failed in their endeavour to reach these shores. But are we really that lucky or blessed to have been the tiny minority of Punjabis and Indians who made it to the UK from India, our home country? Out of the millions of Sikhs who tried and desperately wanted to come over but could not for some reason or the other. However, I sometimes wonder if we would have been better off if we actually stayed in India and did not migrate to the UK. Even though we are considered the lucky ones who managed to get to the west and win the golden ticket. Are we truly accepted here and feel this is our true home? Our roots, religion, culture, customs and traditions, language you name it comes from India (Punjab) We are just a tiny minority and percentage out of billions of brown people to be here. When I go back to India. I really feel that I belong there more and get this feeling that this is my country and roots and not the same feeling while in the UK. Being someone who has travelled back to India on a number of occasions and been all over extensively from North to South. I have seen that Indians/Punjabis back home seem to be happier and more content bunch then us Western Punjabis who are perceived to be in a better country. In fact people back home have become even wealthier then us and prospered more. In terms of family life, wealth ect. Good things I have seen back home in terms of lifestyle/happiness/career ect compared to UK Punjabis. Back home people are a more close-knit and caring community. They have a good sense of togetherness due to living with people of the same faith, culture and values as them. Everyone knows each other and helps one another. Everyone mixes more with their relatives and have better family relations in the community. Which is a stark difference to the UK state of affairs. Where people don’t see their own family due to in fighting and have poor relations. Sikhs in the west are increasingly growing up in broken homes due to very high divorce rates in the west. While back home divorce is very low compared to UK. Yes it may not be perfect but it feels more like home then the UK. Back home they live in communities and areas that are 90% plus Sikh and hence have opportunity to have friends/Sangat, work colleagues of the same religion. Whereas we live in areas and communities where we are small minority and heavily outnumbered by other religions and races. Many of us live in white dominated or muslim populated areas. I actually had this pointed out by a relative from india. Who said he could not believe how many Muslims where in the UK and why I was living in these areas heavily populated by them. Whereas he lived in nearly 90% Plus Sikh area back home. Going back to the good things back in Punjab. They have beautiful Gurdwaras and mandirs on their door step, un paralleled natural beauty such as lush greenery, mountains and landscape. They live in a huge and varied country with many different communities living side by side all of which are similar to us. To summaries what is better back home the in the UK Better family relations and community spirit. As opposed to the UK where families have broken down and divorce rate is very high. So many broken families. Kids growing up without both parents in the same household. They live in Sikh dominated areas, nagar kirtans and sikh events on their door step. More spiritual and blissful place to be in touch with our faith and roots. I have noticed sikhs in punjab are more united the in the UK. Negatives of living in the UK Basically, the opposite of Punjab. No community spirits. Lack of family, society cohesion and togetherness. Many people live isolated away from sangats. High crime rates. Lack of acceptance, many people do not like Asians. In fact multi culturalism has not worked in Britain at all. Everyone is a stranger to each other and there is a lack of social cohesion amongst the different races and religions of Britian. Most people live in streets where they don’t know their neighbours and are complete strangers. Which is completely different back home where everyone is close knit and ready to help their neigbours ect. Back in India, Sikhs, hindus Jains, Buddhists all live side by side in peace in a multi faith society without any issues.UK has dull, grey and cold climates. Houses and roads all look the same and grim. Whereas back home there are beautiful villages Ie beautiful colourful architecture homes. We face racism and discrimination in the work place. Have to work under racist managers and colleagues. Be it in university’s and work places.Anyone else feel we would have been better off where we was?
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