Nowadays, the glitz and glamour of foreign countries have created a herd mentality in Punjab, where people are abandoning their roots and established businesses to run abroad. A perception has taken hold in society that progress and respect can only be achieved by becoming an NRI. Standing apart from this crowd, bidding farewell to the foreign glamour, and setting a unique example of living with self-respect by returning to his homeland is Charan Kamal, a young man from the historic village of Sarabha in Ludhiana district. His story proves that if a person has courage and a strong work ethic, a magnificent life can be built right on their own soil.
From a Thriving Business to the Foreign Herd Mentality
Speaking about his journey, Charan Kamal explains that his work in Punjab was running incredibly well. He ran his own IELTS institute and was entirely financially stable. However, the prevailing trend of going abroad influenced him too, driven by the social mindset that families with children settled overseas enjoy a higher status.
Yielding to social pressure and the herd mentality, he shut down his thriving business and decided to move to Canada on a study visa in 2020. Moving abroad cost him around 20 to 25 lakh rupees, which is considered standard these days. The underlying thought was that life would become easier there and he would settle down permanently.
The Mechanical Reality of Life Abroad
Life in Canada was actually very difficult and entirely different from the dreams he had envisioned. The environment there was highly mechanical and filled with loneliness. Going to work in the morning, coming back to cook, sleeping, and repeating the same routine the next day. There is a world of difference between the comforts of a family home and foreign isolation. While living with parents in Punjab means getting ready-made meals, abroad, you have to do everything yourself—from buying groceries to washing clothes.
Despite this, Charan Kamal left no stone unturned when it came to hard work. Initially, he worked as a pizza delivery boy and sometimes drove forklifts in large warehouses. After that, he started driving for Uber and operating a taxi, where he could earn up to $250 a day. The truth was that there was no shortage of money in Canada, but true peace of mind was completely missing.
Mental Stress and the Turning Point to Return
The biggest toll of this mechanical rat race was on his family life. His wife could not adjust to the lonely, extremely busy environment and fell into depression. She wanted to be surrounded by family and loved ones. He also began to worry deeply that if they settled there permanently, their upcoming generation would lose all affection for Punjab and its culture. Slowly, their identity and traces in Punjab would be wiped out. Prioritizing his wife’s mental health and his love for his roots, he made the decision to return to his homeland in 2022.
Renewed Struggles Back in Punjab
After returning permanently from Canada in August 2025, Charan Kamal decided to work independently, as he had no desire to do a typical job. Since he had experience driving a taxi in Canada, he bought a seven-seater Toyota to start a taxi business. The problem was that it was a petrol vehicle, and the business relied heavily on NRI customers. The work thrived during the NRI season, but once the season passed, the car sat idle and the business practically came to a halt.
A Home Recipe Sparks a Business Idea
When the taxi business stalled and he was sitting completely idle, a new idea suddenly struck him. His wife used to make a very delicious fruit cream at home, which was highly loved by the family. Inspired by this, Charan Kamal thought of taking this pure, tasty dish to the public and starting a clean, wholesome business.
Without any hesitation, he set up his fruit cream stall in Ludhiana’s Sarabha Nagar, right opposite Gate No. 1 of Guru Nanak Public School and very close to the Singh Sabha Gurdwara. He stands there himself every day from 4 PM to 10 PM, selling fresh, high-quality fruit cream. He is receiving an overwhelming response from people, not just for the taste, but for his relentless hard work.
Message to the Youth: Do Not Abandon Punjab Permanently
Charan Kamal advises the youth of Punjab that there is nothing wrong with going abroad. If you have the desire, you should absolutely go, work hard for 10, 15, or 20 years, earn money, and build assets. However, quoting a song by Rajvir Jawanda, he says:
“Pakke pairin Punjab na chhaddo.”
He urges people to invest the money earned abroad back into their home country, Punjab, so that future generations stay connected to their heritage.
Furthermore, he believes that there can be no place in the world more beautiful than the land where you spent your childhood, where you grew into your youth, and where your parents, friends, relatives, and festivals reside. Therefore, going abroad is not a necessity for success; rather, you just need the passion and courage to work hard within yourself.
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