NEW DELHI: For decades, going abroad was the biggest aspiration of Punjab’s youth. Canada, Australia, and the US became synonymous with success, while long queues outside passport and visa offices defined an entire generation. The result was a steady “brain drain” that drained Punjab of talent and ambition.

But under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, the state is witnessing what the government calls “Watan Wapsi” — a reversal of migration trends. This shift, officials say, is not merely a scheme but a transformation of mindset, convincing young Punjabis that they can pursue their dreams at home.

Passport Applications Hit a Decade Low

Data from the Ministry of External Affairs shows Punjab recording the steepest decline in passport applications in the past ten years. Between Jan

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