The Joy of Visiting My Roots and the Importance of Becoming a Citizen of the Universe

This journey from the wilderness of the Yukon to my ancestral village, Siahar, in Punjab is more than just physical travel; it's about reconnecting with my roots and the land that fostered my growth.

My journey has brought me to Punjab (also spelled as Panjab), where I arrived to reconnect with my roots. This journey, taking me from the untamed wilderness of the Yukon to the humble, earthy surroundings of my ancestral village, Siahar, in Punjab, is not just a physical journey covering thousands of miles. Instead, it is a profound, soul-searching journey—an opportunity to reconnect with my roots and pay homage to the land that fostered my growth and played a significant role in shaping my character.

As a child and well into my teenage years, my formative years were spent in these lands in Punjab, where I would play with friends in the lush greenery of these farms. These verdant lands, bursting with life, are more than just fields of crops. They are, in fact, the landscapes of my childhood, richly painted with vibrant memories of laughter, joy, and valuable life lessons. They are the backdrop against which my childhood was set. Hugging these crops, feeling their rough texture against my hands and arms, it felt as if I was embracing old friends after a long period of separation.

This land, these fields, they were also my early learning place where I would often assist my parents with their farming duties, getting my hands dirty, feeling the pulse of the soil, and learning life lessons. Through this direct, hands-on involvement, I learned the values of hard work, patience, and an inalienable respect for the land that sustained us. Our fields, irrigated with water from the mighty Himalayas, the land we tilled and nurtured with love and care, is our ancestral land, a precious legacy passed down from generation to generation. The soil beneath my feet holds stories of my lineage, making it a sacred and incredibly special place.

I want to highlight how the raw landscapes of Punjab and the Yukon sustained my joy during challenging times. After completing my master's degree at Panjab University in Chandigarh, I became a nomad, exploring the world. Before settling into cabin life in the Yukon, I visited many places. These journeys, while filled with joy, also presented many challenges. But I believe challenges are intrinsically linked to any journey, making it adventurous.

The point I want to make is that despite the hardships these challenges brought, my bond with the land and nature always revived my joy. Nature taught me resilience, and how to move on after every single tear and find my joy again. I am grateful for these life lessons which encouraged me to move fluidly like a river, instead of stagnating in a small pond, confined by its boundaries. I learned the biggest life lesson that let your life flow like water, always moving forward towards joy, hope, and positivity.

The seed of my being, sprouted in the naturally rich land of Punjab, found its way to the boreal forest of the Yukon, where it matured, forever linking these two vastly different yet equally captivating nature’s landscapes. Traveling to the other side of the globe helped me see the world as one place, beyond its division into countries. Throughout history, humans have imposed their own constructs and divisions on the natural world, drawing arbitrary lines to divide this beautiful earth into nations, states, and regions, causing unwanted tensions, sadness, and suffering. However, it's important to remember that these divisions are man-made, and nature itself recognizes no such boundaries. When I look at our world, I perceive it not as a collection of separate countries, but as a small, yet immensely wonderful sphere suspended in the vast, infinite space of the universe.

It's a perspective that encourages us to think of ourselves not as citizens of one particular country, but as citizens of the universe. I believe it's time for us to break free from the constricting boundaries of countries, regions, religions, and any other divisions that serve to separate us as humans from each other. We need to transcend these divisions, to widen our perspective and see ourselves as part of a larger, universal community. In this vast universe, we are all interconnected. We all belong to each other and to the earth we inhabit. This perspective fosters global unity, compassion, and mutual respect, and can help us navigate the challenges of the modern world, torn by war, hate, and polarization.

Returning to the point where I began this essay, it was indeed the fertile soil of Punjab that instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and guided me—a humble citizen of the universe—to form a profound, soulful connection with the wilderness of the Yukon.

Before I forget, I would like to showcase the video containing joyful images of those ancestral farms in Punjab, in my village where I spent my childhood and teenage years.

By the way, the word "Panjab" is derived from two words - "Panj" and "Aab". "Panj" means five and "Aab" means rivers. Therefore, Panjab is known as the land of the five rivers. All of those five rivers originate from the Himalayas. I've noticed many Canadians pronounce Punjab as "POON-Jab". However, the correct pronunciation is "PANJ-aab".

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