Khera villagers recall how Kejri’s grandpa ensured water for all

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, February 11

While AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has swept the Delhi Assembly poll on the promise of free water, electricity etc, residents of his ancestral village Khera, near Siwani town in Bhiwani district, maintained he is just carrying forward the family’s philanthropic values. His grandfather too had set up a well in the village to arrange water for 10 villages.

Residents are in a celebratory mood as one of their “sons” has earned fame with sheer hard work. They hope that Kejriwal would become the Prime Minister one day.

The villagers said they remain in contact with Kejriwal and his family. “We have been wishing for AAP’s victory and are thankful to the people of Delhi for reposing faith in Kejriwal’s leadership. We had visited Delhi at the time of Arvind filing his papers. Now, we will attend the oath-taking ceremony,” said Mahender Singh, husband of village sarpanch Parmila Devi.

Village nambardar Chhatar Singh said Kejriwal’s grandfather Mangal Chand shifted to Siwani town, 5 km from the village, several decades ago and Arvind was born in Mandi township of Siwani.

Mahender said villagers often visit the Delhi CM. “He also visited the village after becoming the CM. Arvind and his parents are very happy to meet us. They still pay monthly remuneration to the temple priest,” he said.