The success of a novel concept implemented in certain villages of neighbouring Maharashtra captivated him — and Abhay Patil thought he should replicate it in his constituency too. Thus, in 2005, the Belgaum South MLA shared his ambition with fellow-citizens and sowed the seeds of a bright dream in their minds.
Soon, when the young BJP legislator sketched the plans, he made it a point to involve the villagers. That was vital and, in this case, particularly tricky too. Important, because it was basically a public-private participation endeavour. Tricky because the implementation of the master plan would mean the loss of a portion of the land for some of them. What’s more, they were told that compensation was improbable.
But none protested. As a political observer notes, “There is no better litmus test you can do to prove Patil’s popularity and integrity besides the image he enjoys among his voters.”
Patil, in fact, took some of the folks of the two villages to Kambliwadi, a model village in southern Maharashtra to familiarise them with the requisites to transform their village. “This encouraged us,” recalls a resident. “It took no time for us to get involved in developmental work.” Result: two model villages — Hulikavi and Jafarwadi — came up near Belgaum.
Not long ago, Jafarwadi, only 10 km from Belgaum, had no roads, drains, a proper school building or sanitation. The change in the scene today is incredible. The village, with a population of about 2,000, now has an infrastructure that is better than any of the best layouts of the city. It’s still remote in its way, but has amenities like broad asphalted roads — interestingly the villagers themselves contributed to it by working as labourers. Plus, concrete drains, drinking water supply arrangement for every house through elevated reservoir, a rose garden and more. In fact, one street (on a trial basis) is provided with underground electrical cable connections for its houses.
Things haven’t stopped with just infrastructure betterment. One can’t miss the two fountains that enhance the beauty of a couple of focal locations. The residents have banned the use and sale of liquor and gutka in their village. One can’t display banners and posters of political parties. “Not even during election time...we won’t permit it,” says an aged farmer. “Lately, we have begun resolving legal matters at the level of the village panchayat itself.”
Ditto is the case with Hulikavi, Patil’s own village, about 23 km from Belgaum, and with half the population of Jafarwadi. Its 140 houses have tidy streets that boast of signboards, gardens and systematic fencings. Both villages have a welcome arch at the entrance. Every house at both villages has the nameplate of its owner and house number besides neat bamboo fencings separating them. Jafarwadi has functional drains and groundwater recharge structures.
Indeed, it’s not just the front yard that’s clean. There’s a competition — literally — for setting one’s backyard in order. Annual prizes are given to the best-set backyard. The villages even have vermiculture compost plants grown to produce organic manure. Agricultural experts pays visits to guide villagers about the use of organic manures and its advantages. “At the start,” Patil recalls, “I found it tough convincing the villagers…they were from different political parties.” Concurs Kallappa Patil of Hulikavi: “He managed to iron out our differences.”
The developmental work of Hulikavi was completed in the span of about six months. For Jafarwadi, it took about three times more the time, because there was more work
involved. Often, Patil joined the villagers at work. “There were some amusing episodes too,” recounts Suresh Jadhav of Jafarwadi. “He used to pay surprise visits to the two villages — sometimes at wee hours. Even then, I’ve seen some of them working.”
Patil, only 39, has new plans. “In one year, we’ll be setting up a milk dairy at Jafarwadi, managed by the women of the village. Its products will be sold under the brand name ‘Jafarwadi’.”
He also says schools of the villages will be upgraded with proper benches and even computers. “If we provide better education, basic infrastructure, health services and employment to villagers, we can stem their migration to cities,” Patil adds.
— sarjookatkar@epmltd.com,
tusharmajukar@epmltd.com