Bobby Jindal losing fans back home

Louisiana Guv Jindal losing fans back home
Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service


Usha Jindal, Bobby Jindal’s paternal aunt. Tribune photo

Khanpur (Sangrur), August 9
Indian-origin Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is fast losing fan following back home. Residents of Khanpur in Sangrur are disappointed that unlike several others who have shifted abroad, the Jindals have not contributed to the development of his native village.

His relatives, who had led the celebrations when Jindal was elected Governor, are even more bitter than Khanpur residents.

“People, linking us with the Jindals, often ask us as to when will the Jindals visit their homeland and if they have done anything for the village,” says Sudama Ram, who claims to have solemnised the marriage of Bobby’s parents.

Usha, Jindal’s paternal aunt, who retired as peon from a private school in Malerkotla, is living in penury. Sitting outside her one-room house, she refused to talk about her prosperous relatives in the US. “ My husband and son committed suicide because of financial difficulties and ill-health several years ago. I don’t expect anything from the Jindals.”

Harminder Kumar, Bobby Jindal’s cousin, runs a chemist shop. The shop is still owned by Amar Chand Jindal, Bobby Jindal’s father. “Amar Chand is my father’s younger brother. He used

to run a karyana shop from here. To his credit, he has never claimed the property. But at the same time, his family has never visited us,” he said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Bobby Jindal’s father grew up in the dusty lanes of Khanpur. He was intelligent and hard-working. He used to pedal 5 km kms to school everyday. I wish the family well. But I wish that they visit their native village at least once,” said Vijay Laxmi, another relative.

“Villagers had put up banners congratulating Bobby Jindal when he became the Governor of Loiusiana. It was a matter of pride that someone from our village had risen to such a powerful position in the US. We don’t want any help from the family. But it would have been nice if the Jindals had remained in touch with their roots,” said SGPC member Beant Kaur.

She said some other villagers who had migrated abroad had donated money for the village gurdwara as well as the village roads, but “the Jindals have done nothing for the village.”

Sudama Ram said: “I am sure Bobby will win more fans in India by doing something for his village. He can institute scholarships for needy students. His visit to Khanpur could draw the state government’s attention to the need for better facilities in the village.”

(link :http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120810/punjab.htm#13
and

http://epaper.tribuneindia.com/51285/The-Tribune/TT_10_August_20#page/4/2 )