Chandigarh, September 18: For decades, leaving Punjab for Canada, Australia or the United States was almost a rite of passage. Crowds outside passport offices, endless visa queues and conversations about foreign lands defined the ambitions of an entire generation. The phenomenon came to be called “brain drain,” and it became one of the state’s most pressing challenges.
Now, the tide is shifting. Punjab is seeing its steepest drop in passport applications in more than ten years, a change that officials say signals the rise of “reverse migration.” The Bhagwant Mann government has given this shift a name—“Watan Wapsi” (Return to Homeland)—and is presenting it as more than just a program.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Punjab received about 1,978 passport applications per day between January and June this year, adding up to 3.5 lakh in the first half of 2025. At this rate, the state will close the year with around 7.5 lakh applications, the lowest in the last four years. Officials noted the decline is not only in the number of passports issued but also in the growing trend of young Punjabis coming back after years abroad.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said this reflects a generational change in thinking. “For long, our youth felt their dreams were possible only on foreign soil. Today, they can see opportunities within Punjab. They feel their future is secure here,” he noted.
The shift is being linked to jobs. Mann’s government says it has offered more than 50,000 secure government posts in the last two years, insisting the recruitment process was free of corruption or political favors. Alongside this, the “Invest Punjab” initiative has drawn major private players, with companies such as Polycab opening new plants. The result, officials argue, is a renewed belief that hard work can be rewarded without leaving the state.
Another factor is the government’s focus on Non-Resident Indians. Earlier administrations, Mann said, treated the diaspora mainly as donors. By contrast, the current government has opened grievance desks and held “NRI Milni” meetings to build trust. “This is about dignity and fairness. NRIs now feel confident not only to reconnect with Punjab emotionally but also to invest their resources here,” the chief minister mentioned.
For young people, these changes are visible on the ground. Students who once invested heavily in preparing for life abroad now speak of staying. “If we have jobs and respect at home, the pressure to migrate disappears,” said a college graduate at a recent state jobs fair.
The government insists this is not just the return of people but also of hope. “Reverse migration is becoming a movement,” Mann said. “Working, living and celebrating life in one’s own land—that is true success.”
Punjab’s story, once shaped by departures, may now be defined by homecomings. The dream, many young people say, is no longer about escape but about building a future where their roots already run deep.
