This is the map of India. Yes,the same map you've seen atleast a 100 times. If you look carefully,attached to Himachal Pradesh and Rajhastan, you'll find a small state called Punjab.
The State of Punjab I've circled is the present territory of Punjab region left with India. Here's how it looks prior to Partition(whole Punjab Region):
Basically 80% of this region is gone after partition. This region was so rich that it contributes the largest portion of GDP to our neighbour. It is basically their side of
Punjab which is one of most important parts during elections as well as the region running their country,or else they might even collapse completely.
This region without debate was the worst affected by partition during election. Approx. 1 million Hindus and Sikhs are said to have died,while nearly 10 million were displaced.
Robbed from homelands.Robbed from their cultural identities. Robbed from their religious places.Robbed from all important economic centres held previously. Robbed from their future,forced into Refugee camps in far away lands where survival became a competition.
If it wasn't enough,in 1966 the state was further Trifurcated with regions added to Himachal Pradesh as well as Carving of Haryana from whatever region was left,which gave Punjab the present size it has.
By this is the size of Sikh Empire at its peak Abt which they never teach you. Yes,they even held control of regions of Tibet for some years after defeating the Famous Qing Dynasty of India. Yes,it existed.
And after going through so much,Punjab still maintained a solid Human Development Index according to UN reports.(Check 12)
Such is the potential of this region. Today the economy of Punjab isn't having exctly a very bright growth,due to over dependence on Agriculture. I was really curious why so since most other states were successfully developing industrial cities and growing at a good pace.
I got a large no. Of reasons for it but failed to understand when our govt, can focus on J and K, Bihar,Rajhasthan so why don't they develop Punjab ? It has rivers,it has fertile land,it has everything one needs to setup an industrial region.
Btw this is the state of Punjab while we gave away 26,000 crores to Bihar last year.
Why such neglect of a region with so much potential ? This is a question to ponder upon .