Punjab the “Land of Five Rivers”By Srimal Fernando, Global Editor, The Diplomatic Society (TDS)

 

 

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Punjab  the  “Land of Five Rivers”

 

By Srimal Fernando, Global Editor, The Diplomatic Society (TDS)

Situated in the Northwest of India, Punjab is called the “Land of Five Rivers”. The different parts of the Punjab offer wide variety of interesting places to visit. The unforgettable beauty of the state enjoys a lively and diverse cultural lifestyle, with much to discover. The State has reasons to be proud of their achievements over the past sixty years in social, economic and infrastructural development. The state economy, predominantly based on agriculture, industrial exports and tourism has been a key contributor to Punjab economy. Agriculture continues to be the bedrock of the Punjab’s economy and earned its reputation as the “Granary of India”. Being an agricultural state the majority of its workers are engaged in farming and animal husbandry.
The state produces most of India’s grains than any other state in the country. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, cotton, fodder are the vital economic indicators of Punjab’s agrarian society. The Punjab sugarcane industry has undergone a major overhaul during the last six decades. The dairy industry of the state is part of a long and proud agricultural tradition of the state. Animal husbandry has been an essential part of Punjab’s economic life. Punjab is one of the largest milk producing areas of India with a capacity of 10 per cent of the country’s total production capability. Manufacturing has provided an enormous boost to the state economy since implementation of economic liberalisation policies in India in the early 1990s.
The largest city is Chandigarh, the political, economic, and cultural hub. The tourist industry in Punjab is a wonderful success story. Punjab’s natural and historical attractions appeal to many visitors from all parts of the world. Best places to visit around Punjab  based on distance, budget are the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Wagah border between India and Pakistan, Jallianwala Bagh ,Patiala to explore the royal Punjab of the past, Lodhi Fort and the  fertile farming lands of the state.
Sikhism’s holiest site the Darbar Sahib also known as the Golden Temple in Amritsar built in 1604 by Guru Arjun the fifth Sikh Guru is where the holy scripture of Sikhism Guru Granth Sahib, is retained. The majestic Golden Temple surrounded by a large lake near the river Ravi is visited by millions of devotees annually. Since the earliest times, pilgrimages to Sikh Gurudwaras have been made as acts of devotion. Even today when tourist visits a Sikh Gurudwara the cultural revival of Sikh history, literary history, ethno-history, and so forth can be seen. Sikhism, is still close to the hearts of many Sikhs.
Punjabi customs and traditions are famous all over the world. In over 500 years the 25 million Sikhs around the world with a rich ancient culture plus strong traditions have shown an extraordinary ability to protected their communities as well as defend their lands and adopt to new environments. There are five articles of faith, known as five kakars required to be worn by a Sikh. Sikh turban or Dastar is a mark of visual identity and is an important part of the unique Sikh identity which conveys royalty, grace and partly to cover their long hair. The Kirpan a ceremonial sword, Sikh Comb or Kanga and the Kara a steel bangle worn on the wrist are the other the three articles of faith worn by a Sikh. Today the Punjabi and Sikh traditions, customs and culture dress style, views on life are making headway.
Punjab renowned for having one of the world's best education systems in India spends more per capita on education and has traditionally been noted for its high academic standards. The state’s high proportion of tertiary graduates and its performance as a modern technological society with thirteen universities promotes high quality of professional education.
Given this favourable outlook, the Indian State of Punjab is a place to invest and to do business in the country. As one of the most important travel hubs in India, Punjab offers a fascinating panorama of the past, with a richly mixed cultural and historical tradition.

 

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