In Buttra village, Bhogpur, 70-year-old Harbhajan Kaur, a permanent resident of Canada, has returned to her roots to contest the upcoming sarpanch elections. Having moved to Canada in the 1970s with her family, she is actively campaigning in her village, which has a voter base of approximately 1,200.
Harbhajan expresses a deep connection to her village, stating, “Main apne pind nu kadi nai bhuli (I have never forgotten my roots).” She begins her day early, engaging with villagers to seek their support. Her campaign focuses on enhancing education, healthcare, and sports facilities in the village, which she believes has seen little development in recent years. “I will stay here only if people elect me as their sarpanch and allow me to work for the betterment of the village,” she asserts.
Addressing the needs of the youth, Harbhajan plans to advocate for a gym and a government senior secondary school, aiming to channel the energy of young villagers into sports. She emphasizes the importance of preserving the Punjabi language among children and youth, vowing to promote its use within the community.
Currently residing with her daughter-in-law Harpreet Kaur while her husband and son are abroad, she anticipates their return soon. “I hope that I win and get a chance to serve people here,” she concludes, reflecting her commitment to her village’s future.
