NRIs script success story at Sanghe Khalsa village

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 23

With an ultramodern gymnasium, sewage treatment plant, properly laid roads, separate storm water and sludge sewerage system, absence of filthy pond, potable drinking water supply and other facilities, Sanghe Khalsa village in the district has scripted a new success story with the active involvement of its NRIs and the state government.

A few NRIs of the village had decided to construct a gymnasium in their name to channelise the unbounded energy of the youth.

Today, the gymnasium with ultramodern equipment is catering to the needs of the youth from nearby villages too and trainers being paid by the NRIs are imparting world-class training to youngsters.

Narrating the tale of transformation of the village to Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma during his visit to the village, NRI Nirmal Singh, who was making relentless efforts for the development of the village, said after the state government came up with the partnership scheme for the development of villages, the enlightened NRIs of the village came forward to develop their villages on a priority basis. He said they had constituted an overseas committee for the purpose.

Nirmal Singh said the election of the overseas committee was held every year on Maghi and the eldest member of the committee was unanimously elected as its president.

He added that after the formation of the committee, a primary school at the village with only one teacher was renovated and facilities like separate toilets for students and staff, computer lab and hygienic mid-day meal were provided.

The NRIs not only gave funds but also extended a helping hand to expand the school campus. Likewise, they paid the salary of teachers from their pockets to ensure that students of the village get uninterrupted education.

To ensure optimum utilisation of sewerage water, the NRIs also set up a sewerage treatment plant (STP). The plant is run by villagers through the community service and to avoid the charges of electricity consumption, a solar panel has been installed.

The panel produces the power which is 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 farmers for irrigation purposes and also used for watering the plants in the park, transformed from the pond.

The village has its own kind of rainwater harvesting system under which storm water sewerage has been laid in the village. After heavy downpour, water doesn’t stay in the village for more than 10 minutes.

Meanwhile appreciating the model, the Deputy Commissioner said other NRIs should also come forward for their replicating the same in other parts of the district.