Dethali reservoir

Ahmedabad, 30 March, 2012

One of the most renowned and globally known Indian financial personalities the chief executive of Royal Bank of Scotland, Meera H Sanyal was in Dethali (a small village in north Gujarat) on Sunday 18th March-2012. The great personality is extremely well respected among intellect and even policy makers of India and world. Her resolve to walk the talk has touched so many people since 2009. The lady is awarded with Philanthropist of the year award for 2011 is another feather in her cap. She was on personal learning journey into real India and was visiting villages to see firsthand how the RBS Foundation money is being used to uplift village life. When a CEO of global bank and a person of her repute would visit such place, it will be more symbolic, may be a Benz driving though some large town, all the villagers would be asked to assemble at one place, meet them, greet them, make speech and fly back to Mumbai. This I would say would be a fairly accepted norm. But in her case she is defying all the norms 180 degree. First of all she was traveling in State Transport bus with no luggage (and I mean this literally, she was free from any bias) and with only two ladies who were from local NGO and part of implementation team for RBS. Later through her twits and FB, we learned that she is spending night after night at every village to check the reality herself. She was like an empty cup, no prejudice, and no aura of preaching, rather her hunger was to learn and show compassion. *Kami wa Saibu ni Yadoru* a Japanese proverb

which means God dwells in finer aspects of implementation. It was indeed true for her. Our village is not part of RBS foundation benefactor; still we were so fortunate to have her at Dethali.

If I ask a math’s student to find out probability about winning a lottery v/s Meera Sanyal’s fortuitous visit to our small village (which you cannot even find on Google maps), the odds will be heavily loaded in the favour of former. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction. But what followed next was just unbelievable. Events like this actually make your faith stronger in divinity.

My father was presiding over Dethali Gram Vikas Mandal (GVM) and was active till his last breath for the uplifting activity with the help of like minded villagers and friends. His mortal life ended at the age of 85 on March 2, 2012 and his sudden demise had shocked all of us and we all were wondering how to complete some of his last projects. In this regard, I was on my way to Dethali and around 10:30, got a call from Peerwater organization. One of the finest people who are doing commendable job of connecting water related project people with donors at global scale. When Rajesh of Peerwater called me, He told me someone from RBS want to visit. He wasn’t sure whether her schedule will allow visit but asked me to check it out. As I was rushing towards Dethali, first a little about Dethali, before I move on,

My father’s native village Dethali is located in Becharaji Taluka north Gujarat India is about 110 kms away from Ahmadabad. Original name must have been DevaSthalli (meaning god’s abode). It is located at 23.6degree Latitude & 72degree Longitude. Close to 1300 People live in 227 houses. They are from all communities like Patel, Prajapati, Rabari, Raval, Darbar, Thakore, Vaghari, Harijan etc. More than 40% families live below poverty line. Education standard is very low. Unemployment and underemployment are chronic diseases. Remote location of village is great hindrance for job hunters. Agriculture and live stock management are main occupations. Dethali is under semi arid climatic conditions. Average rainfall of last ten years is 350 mm only. Low rainfall is unevenly distributed. Irrigation facilities are only by surface wells. Natural calamities like famine floods etc. are almost regularly occurring, destroying crops.

Almost 10 years back, when he was 75, along with likeminded group of people from village and at least one representative from each community they formed Dethali Gram Vikas Mandal (GVM) to develop village by organizing self-help group in most scientific and sustainable manner.

Help poured in from many corners and people with good intent joined to support this tiny helpless village. The drought prone village finally came out of water woes after seven years of persistent efforts. The surface water storage, which could only last for 3 months, remained for 18 month now thanks to consistently digging and deepening of Village Lake. The size of the lake is 30 acres. Positive spiral gave birth to many more activities of village up lifting. (Please click here to read Times of India article on Dethali’s water victory and new quest: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-06-09/vadodara/28323190_1_water-table-underground-water-water-shortage)

Some financial help notwithstanding, my involvement to GVM was very passive and almost negligible to be honest. Sitting initially at abroad and then at Gurgaon except for occasional visits, I was contend receiving feedback from my father and learning over mails and phones. But even during those scant visits, I could feel that Agriculture, animal husbandry, women self-help group, improvement in school infrastructure including computerization happening. The growth helped people cutting across caste and income groups. After a great deal was done to improve human life, there is another unique project underway at Dethali for the JIVADAYA (Animal Welfare) with uniqueness. Project named JAMBU-VAN is extremely unique in many ways. (Please see note below for details)

Mid way through the project GVM’s president’s sudden demise had put all of us in dilemma. The shock was common but more important was how do we have continuity. While there were people who had committed funding for the project and the villagers were also keen to conclude this, everyone was as anxious as I was. To be honest, being total novice in this field and area I was just praying almighty to give strength to see our village in the same way he saw and remain as compassionate as possible. And was just hoping divine power will help us. I did not know help is coming from totally unexpected corner.

To make sure the morale stayed high and we do things as professionally as possible, we had called ANARDE foundation an NGO who are doing commendable job relentlessly for last 25 years in this part of State. Headed by dedicated Philanthropist L N Gandhi and supported by his dedicated team, there are many wonderful village uplifting success stories to their credit. They act as vital catalyst link between Govt and villages and make sure village uplifting happen in most scientific and transparent way. ANARDE Foundation and our village share mutual respect for each other. While we have always got benefited immensely when they helped us in water issues, village volunteered in cooperating with them for Narmada canal work. We had requested them to estimate how much cost is involved in fortifying lake walls. Also we needed them to guide us in implementation of project as well as in forestation. In the late afternoon we had called one important stakeholder, a true disciple of Maharaj Saheb, to take his help in conceptualization as well as helping us in getting the right financial help.

Meera Sanyal, author Mayurbhai Shah and others at Dethali reservoir
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When Rajesh called, I was rehearsing and simulating in my mind how the day may evolve, what I should be requesting to whom. The call had some very positive vibration. When I reached Meera she showed willingness subject to adjusting her schedule. Ishwarbhai Desai of GVM volunteered to receive her along with her two NGO colleagues 55 km away from our village. The name and the enormity associated with still did not strike me, as I was more engrossed with my selfish micro focus. But sixth sense was telling me, it’s an extremely good omen to get unexpected ATITHI to our village.

So on one hand Ishvarbhai set out to receive them, we were nailing details at the bank of lake with Jayantibhai of ANARDE foundation. Ishwarbhai was very impressed with their accommodating nature and we headed for lunch at Rantej. It struck me when I saw her, who I was interacting so far. One of the TV debates 2009 elections played back in my mind, I was awestruck then by her candid views and honesty, and today I was stuck by her simplicity. Not prepared at all for this huge moment, with little time we had for lunch I spoke ceaselessly on whatever I knew about the village. She continued to ponder over her Jain experiences at Kutch and connected her story and did not show any fuss about the humble food.

Interestingly the place we were having lunch was RANTEJ a famous Jain pilgrim place where an amazing unbroken ancient idol of Goddess of Saraswati was unearthed. The only Goddess to be revered among hindus, jains, buddhists, chinese, Japanese. I never knew at that moment that she was tweeting her experiences simultaneously. Saraswati the hidden river and Goddess of knowledge led us to discussion on water and arid topography of this place in north Gujarat. I was pleasantly surprised about her knowledge of Dholaveera and ancient water management techniques. We discussed on disappearing of Saraswati and her reappearance. It must have been blessing of Saraswati Devi that discussion moved on from one topic to another so smoothly and we were getting drown in the knowledge flow. She mingled so smoothly and getting down on the way with child like curiosity. Ishwarbhai showed her the storm water canal that takes water to small runn of kutch desert. Our village lake builds check dam to fill the water and we save water getting wasted in desert.

We reached Dethali by 14PM and drove them to Village Lake. Even in the noon still there were few exotic non-native birds. Meera was busy examining, asking questions, suggesting with what she saw at Chilaka. We rested under the banyan tree in the middle of the JAMBUVAN. The banyan tree is 10 years old and it was planted at the inception of lake digging activity started.

The peace of mind it gives to people who stand below is the thing to experience. Cool breeze even on scorching day coupled with serene view of lake and seeing those lovely birds is great treat. Meera was drinking all with her eyes and camera.

We showed her one project concept of refilling underground water channels by using water, which is otherwise wasted in desert of kutch. The idea is to filter this water at 100, 25 and 5 microns before returning it back to underground water channels. Over the period ground water has depleted so much in this part of the world; it is time we return back to those precious streams. Luckily we have the entire infrastructure ready, abundant water intake, and reservoir, a well nearby and unused bore-well, which could be used to channel water back. We do hope someone will come forward with technical and financial help to fruity this project. While there is no surface benefit to Dethali on this, but it will be beneficial to overall ecology of North Gujarat immensely. We feel this important as going forward the wave of industrialization will sweep this part too. More progress will mean more water.

While I was interacting with her, something was bothering me all the time. The enthusiasm to conclude above projects was pervasive. Somewhere all of us were feeling directionless. Individually we knew what to do it, but how to do and who should take lead was holding people back. Haribhai meanwhile had gathered main office bearers of Dethali GVM at his house and we were asked to join. By the time Jitubhai had also arrived. By this time, Unnatiben (who was accompanying Meera) had already told villagers about her and all of them were feeling so important and there were smile on everyone’s face. The atmosphere turned into some sort of festivity and her interactive questions made them feel so proud and comfortable. Interacting with everyone and taking deep interest in villager’s life, projects, spiritual topics. Villagers felt as if some saint had descended on their soil. The photo ops where the ladies of Harikaka’s house also joined. Later as the news spread like wild fire, many felt they were deprived of opportunity to meet her.

But in the midst of all the things something very interesting was happening. The whole event was spontaneous. We did not plan anything. Everyone chipped in with their own bit. P G Patel, Ishwarbhai, Manubhai, Haribhai, Harjivankaka they all played a role on their own. They all were proud and happy so were many more people. The self-confidence she infused by genuinely showing interest in their life and complimenting small achievements of village development, inspired them to do more. The happening was all the more important, as Meera did not belong to our village; neither were we part of the beneficiary of RBS foundation. In spite of that she should come here and spend time with us was considered a very divine experience and wish of Maharajsaheb. The demise of president had left a void for the leadership but I could see glimpse of president in everyone’s eyes and their body. If I may borrow a line from Amish’s book “The Immortals of Meluha”, It was indeed “HAR EK MAHADEV” moment. The divine help had arrived and in what a wonderful way.

It’s just a coincidence that as I am writing this, my ipad played a Raj Kapoor all time hit Song Ek Din Bik Jayega. Following stanza was more apt to explain what we learned from Meera’s visit.

Na Ho Bas Mein Tere Kuch Bhi Mana
Tera Dharam hai Apna Karam Nibhana
Tere piche matwale, Sab Soche Jagwale
Aaya tha is Duniya mein koi Mastana
Har dil ko teri yaad aaye tere baad
Itna to karta ja phir duniya se dol
Ek Din Bik Jayega Maati ke mol….

While our best wishes to her for her continued journey, she taught us something very important. She infused the confidence back in all of us and more importantly she reminded us the thoughts that were Somchand V Shah, the president of GVM Dethali.

And in a strange way I learned the meaning Je Pense Donc Je suis. A profound western philosophical statement that translated literally means, “I think therefore I am”. While we had lost him in his mortal life, but can safely say I discovered him as an eternal thought on that day. While people say he did something for village, I feel it was village that did more to him then he did to village. Its here that he learned the meaning of compassion, uplifting, human bond and resolve. Meera’s visit only increased our belief in these values. Our village is but a tiny spot and part of millions of small villages of India. But just like other part of India, we also have our own aspiration for better life. We do hope to achieve and some day maintain carbon-neutral growth where all living organism can sustain. We need all the support from every corner of the world.

Note:

Jamuvan
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The project named “JAMBU-VAN” is a very unique pilgrimage place in the memory of great-learned Jain saint and scholar of Jainology Shri Jambuvijayji Maharaj (To know more about Jambuvijaji, click on this article). He was born in this very village and was renowned globally for his knowledge on Jain philosophy. Equally famous was his love for welfare of birds and animals. To give him true tribute the project concept was envisaged with multiple ideas in mind. One of the banks of Lake would be use for this project. The centerpiece of the project will be building sacred edifice, where his footsteps will be kept in temple. The temple will be surrounded by trees, which will give shelter and food to birds, who are fast losing their habitat everywhere else. There were other benefits such as (1) To stop silting of lake in case of scarce rain (2) take a huge leap in making village carbon neutral by planting hundreds of trees keeping Dethali’s bio-diversity in mind. (3) Choose trees carefully so that they give excellent abode to birds and pure air to humans. (4) Think of birds as valued guests and create an environment where even exotic and rare migratory birds may decide to make this Jambuvan on their stopping place on their journey towards Kutch. (5) This may become a great earning potential for village for eco tourism in future. (6) But above all creating an environment where people develop love and compassion for birds. This would be the biggest tribute to the great soul as well as making of unique place in Gujarat for birds and bird lovers.