More of a business trip than a holiday, but we still made the most of it with the little spare time we had on the side whilst the business side had quietened down here and there.
After 11 long years away, returning to my Punjab felt like stepping into a cherished dream, filled with echoes of laughter and vibrant moments from my childhood. This land, where I was born and spent my earliest years, was a kaleidoscope of memories—each corner holding a story, each shadow whispering a name.
I wandered through villages that once buzzed with life but now stand eerily silent, their homes in disrepair, as the younger generation seeks opportunities beyond our borders. Yet, amidst the stillness, the essence of Punjab remains. The colours may have faded, but the spirit is unyielding. It still stands proud as India’s breadbasket, its fields tirelessly nourishing the nation.
During my stay, I was welcomed with open arms at my cousin sister's home in Talwan, near Nurmahal. This house, filled with warmth and laughter, holds a special place in my heart. For three years, my sisters took care of me while my mother tended to my younger sister back in Awadaan, before we made our journey to the UK in March 2000, I was 6 years old.
You can catch glimpses of that beloved home in the first set of photos. In one of the photos at that home, you can a scooter in a dark room. That old scooter is the one my dad bought in 1993, a year before I was born. He used to take me and my sister to school, he would also use it to go around the village or to the local shops to get us some treats here and there.
My own home, a villa in the village Awadaan near Jalandhar, stands as a testament to my roots. Photos of that home can be found in the second section, featuring the palm tree that greets every visitor that goes past.
We also explored my uncle's expansive 1000-acre farm in Mundh, near Nakodar, where he has made his mark as one of the area’s largest farmers. Meeting him was a joy, as he also oversees our family farm close to Awadaan and Chugawa. Below, you can see some drone videos of our farm.
Other places documented in the photos include:
- Bulandpur Sahib Gurudwara
- Talwan Village
- The Golden Temple
This trip wasn’t just a return; it was a reconnection with my past, a rekindling of a love that time can’t diminish.
-------------------------------------------------
VIDEOS:
Video 1: My uncle Ranjit Bhullar's large farm operation in Mundh, Punjab
Video 2: My uncle Ranjit Bhullar's 2 homes in Mundh Village, Punjab
Video 3: Talwan Village and my cousin sisters's home
Video 4: My family's farms near Awadaan and Chugawa villages in the Jalandhar district
