A little later, the same form is discernible on the worn-out doorbell of the village headman's house. And the Canadian Maple Leaf is seen almost everywhere. Since the beginning of the last century when the first Punjabis arrived in Canada to clear land in Vancouver, people from this predominantly agricultural state have been adopting Canada as their home in ever-increasing numbers. Canada makes its presence felt here in more ways than one, both obvious and subtle. There's a plethora of travel agents in the marketplaces who offer travel with almost all international airlines.
Immigration consultants run lucrative businesses.
About 20 kilometres from Jullundur is Dosanjh Kalan, where the outgoing premier of British Columbia hails from. Some 40 to 50 per cent of the people from this village are Canadian immigrants now. Even those who have stayed behind are proud of the fact. His parents and three brothers are already in Canada. Canada plays a defining role in the cultural life of this village.