DC EXHORTS MORE NRIs TO COME FORWARD FOR REPLICATING THIS INITIATIVE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE VILLAGES

Sanghe Khalsa (Jalandhar)
With ultra modern gymnasium, Sewage Treatment Plant, well labyrinth roads, separate storm water and sludge sewerage system, absence of filthy pond, potable drinking water supply and other facilities village Sanghe Khalsa in the district has scripted a new success story with the active involvement of its NRI sons with the state government.

A village near Nurmahal with a population of 700- Sanghe Khalsa has everything, which was the hallmark of any advanced civilization. From outer view it seems like any other village of the state but in reality it was different from them in many ways. It was around a decade ago when departing from the usual practice of Punjab villages to construct a memorial gate in the name of their forefathers at entry of village, a few NRIs decided to construct a gymnasium on their name to channelize unbounded energy of youth. Today this gymnasium with ultra modern equipments was catering to the need of youth from nearby villages and trainers paid by the NRIs impart world class training to the youth.

Narrating the tale of transformation of village to Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma, during his visit to the village, NRI Mr. Nirmal Singh, who was making relentless efforts for development of village, along with veteran Journalist Mr. Jatinder Pannu said that after the state government came up with partnership scheme for development of villages, the enlightened NRIs of this village came forward to develop their villages on priority and constituted an overseas committee for this purpose. They said that the election of this oversea committee was held every year on Maghi and the eldest member of the committee was unanimously elected its president.

They said that after the formation of committee a primary school of the village with only one teacher was renovated and facilities like separate toilets for students and staff, computer lab, hygienic mid day meal and others were provided. The NRIs not only gave funds but also their land to enable the school campus to expand. Likewise, they also employed teachers at their own expenses to ensure that students of the village get uninterrupted education.

Then it was the turn of filthy pond spread over 6 kanals of land in the heart of village. This pond which was about 25 feet deep was a major headache for the village but again the NRIs with the support of government filled this pond and transformed it into a green park, where the villagers come for a walk now in morning and evening. Not only this to ensure proper disposal of waste water, the sewerage system was laid in the entire village. This system laid on scientific lines doesn’t get choked and to ensure that it works continuously the villagers have their own sewerage cleaning machine.

In order to ensure optimum utilization of the sewerage water, the NRIs then set up a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in the village. This plant was run by the villagers themselves through community service and to avoid the charges on electricity consumption, a solar panel has been installed at the STP. The solar panel produces the power which was sold to the PSPCL, in exchange of the power consumed for running the plant thereby decreasing its recurring cost. The treated water was then supplied to the farmers for irrigation purposes and also used for watering the plants in the park, transformed from pond.

Not stopping here the village has its own kind of rain water harvesting system under which storm water sewerage has been laid in the entire village due to which even after heavy rain the water doesn’t stand in village for more than 10 minutes. Through this storm water sewage the rain water was collected in five 18 by 18 soak ways constructed exclusively to recharge the water table by sending the water directly underground. Not stopping here the overseas committee was now in process of constructing an indoor sports stadium and installing CCTV cameras in village. Apart from developing the village on scientific lines this committee has also focused on preserving their glorious legacy and one such attempt was to preserve the first concrete and brick house of the village constructed way back in 1941 as ‘Heritage house’ of the village.

Meanwhile, highly appreciating the model, the Deputy Commissioner said that the other NRIs should also come forward for their replicating it in other parts of district. He sought the whole hearted cooperation and support of NRIs to transform the villages in the district. Mr. Sharma said that Punjabis have proved their mettle in every aspect of life adding that probably Punjabi community was the only in the world which could undertake any daunting task by the dint of their hard work, sincerity and commitment.

The Deputy Commissioner said that if any NRI comes forward to develop their villages on these lines the district administration would ensure fulsome support and cooperation to them. Likewise, he said that all out efforts would be made to rope in more NRIs for undertaking such task.