For nearly four decades, as thousands of Punjabis settled across Europe in search of new lives, Nakodar native Mota Singh Sarai chose to carry a vital piece of Punjab with him — its language and literature.Living in England since 1986, Sarai has devoted himself to keeping Punjabi literature alive among the diaspora. His work is closely associated with the Punjabi Sath Lambra, an organisation established in 1991 by Dr Nirmal Singh and Piara Singh.Sarai was later entrusted with taking its activities forward in Europe, where a growing Punjabi community was looking for ways to remain connected with its language and cultural roots.Since then, through the European Punjabi Sath and Punjabi Sath Walsall, Sarai has turned that responsibility into a sustained literary movement. He has helped Punjabi writers publish their works, supported literary gatherings and created platforms where writers and readers from across the diaspora can come together around the language.Over the years, he has facilitated the publication and distribution of Punjabi books worth over Rs 17 crore, helping take the works of writers to readers far beyond Punjab.For Sarai, however, the purpose of this work goes beyond books and publishing.“Language connects us to our history, legacy and culture. It is a medium that keeps us connected to our homeland,” says Sarai, who moved to England at the age of 24. His own experience of migration strengthened that belief. Living in England, he became increasingly aware of the challenge of keeping Punjabi alive among generations born and raised overseas.“After coming to England, I realised that there is a need to preserve our mother tongue so that the next generation can remain aware of its history and native culture,” he says. That mission has shaped Sarai’s work for decades. Alongside publishing books, the Punjabi Sath has provided a space for literary discussions and cultural activities, bringing together writers, readers and members of the diaspora.His efforts have also helped create connections between literary voices from Indian and Pakistani Punjab and their audiences abroad.Born in August 1961 at Chak Khurd near Nakodar, Sarai completed his MA in Political Science from Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, in 1985 before moving to England the following year for higher education. He later completed an MBA there.Nearly four decades after leaving Punjab, Sarai continues to work towards the same purpose that is ensuring that distance from the homeland does not become distance from its language.