Jalandhar-born entrepreneur Akashdeep Singh Dhillon may now be settled in Canada, but people close to him say Punjab still remains at the center of his thinking.
Originally from Jalandhar Cantt, Akashdeep moved to Canada back in 2016 after completing his studies in Punjab. Like thousands of Punjabi students who leave home every year, he arrived with hopes of building a stable future through hard work and persistence. The beginning, though, was far from comfortable.
During his initial years abroad, he worked different jobs while trying to adjust to life in a new country. One of those jobs included newspaper delivery during the early mornings. Later, he entered the trucking industry and spent years driving across Canadian routes, something many Punjabi immigrants can relate to closely. Long hours, unpredictable weather and pressure to survive financially, it was all part of the experience.
People who know him personally say those years changed his outlook completely. Instead of becoming frustrated, he focused on learning how the system worked and slowly building his own path forward.
In 2021, after years of working in the transport sector, Akashdeep launched his own trucking company in Canada. The same year, he also received Canadian Permanent Residency. Friends describe that phase of his life as a turning point after years of struggle and uncertainty.
What separates his story from many others is that he never completely disconnected from Punjab after settling overseas. According to associates, he frequently speaks about issues affecting Punjabi youth, especially unemployment, migration pressure, and the lack of opportunities available to young people in smaller cities and towns.
He believes Punjab has enough talent and potential to grow much faster if the right support systems are created for young entrepreneurs and skilled workers. Rather than depending only on traditional career paths, he feels more focus should be placed on business development, practical education, and employment generation.
What makes his journey stand out is that, despite building a settled life in Canada, Akashdeep Singh Dhillon has remained emotionally attached to Punjab and deeply concerned about the direction in which the state is heading. People close to him say he often speaks about issues affecting Punjab’s youth, including unemployment, migration, drug abuse, and the growing frustration among young people who struggle to find opportunities at home. Having personally
experienced hardship abroad, he believes Punjab’s future depends on creating an environment where the younger generation can succeed with dignity within their own state. According to those who know him, he strongly feels that people who gain global exposure and experience should stay connected to their roots and contribute positively toward society instead of becoming disconnected from their homeland.
For many young Punjabis living abroad, Akashdeep Singh Dhillon’s journey feels familiar because it reflects a reality they have personally experienced: leaving home with uncertainty, working difficult jobs quietly, and trying to build something meaningful over time.
At a stage where conversations around Punjab’s future increasingly involve younger voices and globally exposed individuals, Akashdeep represents a section of the Punjabi diaspora that still wants to stay involved with its roots rather than simply watching from a distance.
His story is ultimately less about overnight success and more about patience, consistency, and remembering where you came from, even after life changes completely.
