A Face of the Punjabi farmer

[HarmanSingh]

Many people here have a romanticized view of our people in the Pindhs. We like to think they walk around singing bolis and doing bhangra in the khet. But that is far from the truth.

Listen to this man's story. He is an honest, sincere, God fearing man who is unable to stay afloat with his debt and situation. He is begging for help, for people to know his plight. Are we going to do anything?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClWDfwWpIW4

The most striking thing to me was when the interviewer asked Kesar Singh specifics on his debt/finances, and he was unable to answer. This perhaps, is the root of many of the problems our people face. Simply not understanding the finances and business side of farming lets loan sharks and predators to step in and exploit their ignorance on the subject.

I do not know a lot on this subject, but I do know our culture is on the brink of extinction if we don't fix this soon. If this video doesn't make you want to help our people, do not call yourself Punjabi.

Babbu Mann made a great song about the life of Jatts today. It will make you want to cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ZW5LU8--w

 

[HarmanSingh]

here are some good papers/articles to read regarding the crisis:



http://www.global.ucsb.edu/punjab/12.2_Gill.pdf

http://agrariancrisis.wordpress.com/

http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10766