Surinder Singh Sangha’s new Punjabi book, The Struggle Stories of Indo-Canadian Immigrants, captures the real-life journeys, challenges, and triumphs of early Indo-Canadian families, preserving their legacy for future generations. The book delves into a time when opportunities were limited and systemic barriers were abundant.
Sangha draws on decades of personal experience and research to present an honest, comprehensive account of these communities. “I came to Canada under the 1967 immigration system after completing the first year of my Master’s in History. My family’s exposure to stories of India’s freedom struggle gave me a deep interest in documenting history, and that curiosity carried over to learning about our elders’ journeys here,” he shares.
The book’s inspiration came from Sangha’s involvement with the East Indian Workers Association and the broader Indo-Canadian community, which highlighted the need to recognize the contributions and struggles of those who had come before. “Many accounts about our ancestors ignored significant contributions or focused only on certain narratives. I felt it was important to write a book that acknowledged all perspectives fairly,” Sangha explains.
This approach ensures the stories are not only historically accurate but also inclusive, emphasizing the social, cultural, and economic contexts that shaped the immigrant experience. Sangha is committed to the belief that history should not be used to divide or marginalize communities, noting that a historian’s role is to critically examine the past while ensuring that sectarian or racial biases are not promoted.
The Struggle Stories of Indo-Canadian Immigrants combines first-hand statements, archival documents, government records, and oral histories to bring these narratives to life. Sangha also draws from written pieces such as Arjan Singh Chand’s historical diary and Sadhu Singh Dhami’s novel Maluka, which recount the experiences of early immigrants in Canada. These sources, alongside interviews with families of early settlers, provide readers with a vivid and deeply personal understanding of what it took to establish a life in a new country.
One particularly emotional story from Sadhu Singh Dhami’s Maluka recounts the experiences of the Punjabis he worked alongside, who urged him, “Malukia, continue your studies. Don’t get stuck in the mills like us. The dust that settles on your turban here soon seeps into your mind, too. Learn to read and write, and then write our story. Write that we fought for India’s freedom not just through words, but with our hands. Write that we never endured a blow without answering it. Write with the fire in your blood. We may be gone, but our children will read these words with pride.”
The book undoubtedly carries a message of resilience and dedication for younger generations. Sangha stresses that the Indian community in Canada achieved equality through unity, courage, patience, and persistence, not by waiting for authorities to grant it. He encourages schools to incorporate the history of racial discrimination faced by early immigrants into curricula, ensuring future generations appreciate their heritage. The book’s careful curation and attention to detail have made it highly sought after, and plans are underway for an English edition. As Sangha puts it, “Our ancestors played a key role in shaping Canada as a multicultural society, and it’s something we should all be proud of.”