Punjab man’s forgotten role in building Panama canal resurfaces after 120 years

BATHINDA: While US President-designate Donald Trump has urged Panama to lower transit fees in the crucial Panama Canal — warning that the US might take back control of the canal — the Indian connection to this iconic waterway has come to light. The canal, constructed by the US in 1914, was later returned to Panama under a bilateral agreement.

Though Panama, located at the southern end of Central America, is over 16,000 kilometres away, its Indian connection dates back more than 120 years. In 1904, Bhag Singh from Punjab landed in Panama and contributed to the construction of the iconic Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Singh hailed from Rumi village near Jagraon, Ludhiana. Even after the 82-kilometre-long canal became operational in 1914, he continued working there, significantly reducing maritime travel time between the two oceans.

For his service at the Panama Canal-Panama Railroad Company, Bhag Singh received a pension of 11 US dollars until his death in 1968. When he expressed a desire to return to India, he was issued a British passport for his journey home, recalls his grandson, Darshan Singh Deol. Now 77 years old, Darshan lives in Stockholm, Sweden, with his family.

Three months ago, Darshan visited Panama to gather information about his grandfather’s 47-year stay. During his visit, he discovered extensive details at the Central Library of Panama, shedding light on how Bhag Singh and many others endured significant hardships to transform the rugged terrain into a canal that became Panama’s economic lifeline.

“Bhag Singh left his village in 1904 at the age of 23, leaving his family behind. He traveled to Kolkata, then to Shanghai, and eventually reached Panama. Upon his arrival, he began working on the canal. After its completion, he was appointed as a watchman and returned to India in 1951, when I was just four years old,” said Darshan. “As I grew older, I became increasingly curious about his journey to an unfamiliar country and the years he spent there. He shared many stories about his time in Panama.”

Few people in the area had seen Bhag Singh during his lifetime. Upon his return to Jagraon, a local tonga driver recognized him by his distinctive suit. When Bhag Singh asked for a ride to Rumi, the driver immediately knew it was him.

After his return, Bhag Singh stayed in the village for 17 years and continued receiving his pension. He often spoke about the harsh conditions during the canal's construction, recounting how hundreds of workers died due to the challenging terrain and diseases like cholera and yellow fever.

“After my grandfather passed away, I moved to Sweden with my family. Earlier this year, I decided to dig deeper into his journey and visited Panama. I initially struggled to gather information from older residents and even visited the local Gurdwara. Feeling disheartened, I was advised to check the Central Library. There, I found records indicating that Bhag Singh was among the first Indians to arrive in Panama and contribute to the canal’s construction,” said Darshan.

He believes the Indian government should collaborate with Panamanian authorities to uncover more details about Indians who worked on the canal. He also advocates for a memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during the construction.

“If India pursues this initiative, I am willing to lead the effort,” Darshan added.



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