Latest news with #NorthAmericanPunjabiAssociation
Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Indian Express
Punjabis falling prey to ‘human trafficking': NAPA seeks scrutiny of ads by travel agents
Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called for stringent scrutiny of foreign job advertisements by travel agents in Punjab, claiming people from the state were falling prey to human trafficking and deceptive migration schemes. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based NAPA, emphasised that every year, hundreds of young Punjabis, driven by the dream of a better future in Western nations, end up being exploited by unregulated agents. These agents often work through sophisticated networks and use flashy advertisements in newspapers, social media, and local TV channels to lure innocent people. 'They are promised high-paying jobs abroad, but instead, many are abandoned in transit countries or forced into inhumane conditions. These agents charge anywhere between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, pushing families into lifelong debt,' he said. He alleged that unscrupulous agents, operating not only from Punjab but also from metropolitan hubs like New Delhi and even foreign countries like the USA, are running a parallel economy based on deceit and exploitation. 'There must be a system in place to scrutinise whether a travel agent has valid licenses and legal authorisations to offer jobs overseas,' Chahal asserted. He recommended that all job-related advertisements by travel agents should be vetted by authorities such as the Protector of Emigrants and local police departments. He also stressed the need for digital tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor these agents' activities across states and international jurisdictions. Chahal warned that the unchecked flow of irregular migration not only affects individuals but also tarnishes the reputation of the entire Indian diaspora. 'There are countless cases of Punjabi youths being jailed in Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries while en route to the USA or Canada. The rampant violation of their basic human rights in these regions is alarming,' he said. He called upon both Indian and international authorities to take coordinated action. 'Transit and destination countries must treat such migrants as victims rather than criminals. Stronger international cooperation is required to dismantle human trafficking syndicates,' he said. Chahal also proposed the creation of a comprehensive national and international database to monitor patterns in illegal migration. Chahal urged the Indian government to initiate awareness drives in rural and semi-urban areas where such fraudulent practices are most prevalent.
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Business Standard
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
NAPA seeks stricter checks on travel ads as Punjabis fall to trafficking
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called for stringent scrutiny of foreign job advertisements by travel agents in Punjab, claiming people from the state were falling prey to human trafficking and deceptive migration schemes. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based NAPA, emphasised that every year, hundreds of young Punjabis, driven by the dream of a better future in Western nations, end up being exploited by unregulated agents. These agents often work through sophisticated networks and use flashy advertisements in newspapers, social media, and local TV channels to lure innocent people. "They are promised high-paying jobs abroad, but instead, many are abandoned in transit countries or forced into inhumane conditions. These agents charge anywhere between Rs 20 and 50 lakh, pushing families into lifelong debt," he said. He alleged that unscrupulous agents, operating not only from Punjab but also from metropolitan hubs like New Delhi and even foreign countries like the USA, are running a parallel economy based on deceit and exploitation. "There must be a system in place to scrutinise whether a travel agent has valid licenses and legal authorisations to offer jobs overseas," Chahal asserted. He recommended that all job-related advertisements by travel agents should be vetted by authorities such as the Protector of Emigrants and local police departments. He also stressed the need for digital tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor these agents' activities across states and international jurisdictions. Chahal warned that the unchecked flow of irregular migration not only affects individuals but also tarnishes the reputation of the entire Indian diaspora. "There are countless cases of Punjabi youths being jailed in Mexico, Panama, and other Latin American countries while en route to the USA or Canada. The rampant violation of their basic human rights in these regions is alarming," he said. He called upon both Indian and international authorities to take coordinated action. "Transit and destination countries must treat such migrants as victims rather than criminals. Stronger international cooperation is required to dismantle human trafficking syndicates," he said. Chahal also proposed the creation of a comprehensive national and international database to monitor patterns in illegal migration. Chahal urged the Indian government to initiate awareness drives in rural and semi-urban areas where such fraudulent practices are most prevalent.
New Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
NAPA urges SGPC to act immediately to retrieve Guru Granth Sahib 'saroops' from war-torn Iran
CHANDIGARH: The North American Punjabi Association on Friday appealed to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the broader Panthic leadership to safeguard the sacred 'saroops' of the Guru Granth Sahib kept at a gurdwara in war-hit Iran's Tehran. Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive director of the association, urged the SGPC to immediately arrange a chartered aircraft and deploy a group of five dedicated Sikhs to accompany the 'saroops' (physical copy of Guru Granth Sahib) back home with full respect. Reacting to SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami appealing to the Union government to arrange for the transportation of the 'saroops' to India, Chahal said the gurdwara management body has the resources and moral responsibility to act independently in the matter. "This is not the time to rely solely on appeals to the Union government. Time is of the essence, and any delay could lead to irreparable consequences. We cannot afford to wait for bureaucratic processes. The safety and sanctity of Guru Granth Sahib Ji's saroops must be our top priority," Chahal said. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, especially amid the escalating conflict in the region, Chahal warned that relying on the central government's decision-making could result in dangerous delays. "The SGPC has the resources and moral responsibility to act independently in this religious matter," he said.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt urged to reopen Kartarpur Corridor
The Kartarpur Corridor has been closed from the Indian side for five weeks despite a prevailing ceasefire between India and Pakistan and growing calls for its reopening. The last batch of the pilgrims visited the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, on May 7 through this corridor. The Kartarpur Corridor provides visa-free access to the Indian pilgrims and NRIs to the sacred Sikh shrine. Amid the escalated tension between both the countries in the wake of 'Operation Sindoor' launched by India following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir, it was closed till further orders from the Indian side. As the ceasefire was declared by both the countries, a ray of hope for its reopening had emerged. However, uncertainty is prevailing over its reopening, even as demand is being raised for the same. On Friday, Member of Parliament (MP) from Patiala Dr Dharamvira Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting for the reopening of the trans-border corridor that connects the Indian border town having religious importance, Dera Baba Nanak, to Kartarpur Gurdwara. As a Member of Parliament's Standing Committees on Railways, Dr Gandhi highlighted numerous appeals from Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, who are eager to visit Kartarpur Sahib. In his letter, Gandhi stressed that the corridor, inaugurated in 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the first Sikh Guru, stood as a powerful symbol of peace and religious unity. Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), on Saturday appealed to the Government of India to immediately reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, enabling Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Darbar Sahib. Chahal said Pakistan continues to keep its side of the corridor open. 'In contrast, the closure on the Indian side has left millions of Sikhs in the country disheartened, disconnected, and disappointed', Chahal said. Dera Baba Nanak's resident Baba Sukhdeep Singh Bedi, one of the descendants of Guru Nanak, said, 'The corridor opening was decades old demand of the Sikh community and it was opened in 2019. However, strained ties between both the countries have cast shadow over it. The Sikhs are upset over the closure of the corridor. The Government of India, keeping Sikh sentiments in view, should reopen it'.
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Business Standard
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
NAPA urges immediate reopening of Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for Sikhs
Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), on Saturday appealed to the government of India to immediately reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, enabling Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Darbar Sahib Gurdwara in Kartarpur, Pakistan, one of the most sacred sites in Sikhism. Chahal said Pakistan continues to keep its side of the corridor open, allowing pilgrims from around the world to visit the holy shrine. In contrast, the closure on the Indian side has left millions of Sikhs in the country disheartened, spiritually disconnected, and deeply disappointed, Chahal said. "The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a historic milestone symbolising peace, interfaith harmony, and the spiritual rights of Sikhs," Chahal said. Its continued closure due to political or administrative reasons is not only unjustified but deeply hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikh community. The Indian government must rise above political considerations and prioritise the emotional and religious needs of the Sikh population," he said. Chahal stressed that reopening the corridor is not merely a logistical matter, but also a sacred obligation to the community. "Kartarpur Sahib is not just a religious site; it is the spiritual heartbeat of every Sikh. Blocking access to such a sacred place is an affront to our collective faith and identity," he said. NAPA believes that reopening the corridor would not only uphold religious freedom but also foster goodwill, strengthen cross-border people-to-people ties, and promote regional peace, he said. NAPA expresses its sincere hope and confidence that the government of India will take prompt and positive action to restore access to Kartarpur Sahib for Indian Sikh devotees, ensuring they are able to fulfil their religious duties and seek spiritual solace without hindrance, Chahal said.
