This Little-known, Small Indian Village Has 60 Millionaires!

We all have heard of Indian millionaires and billionaires like Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and Falguni Nayar, right? All of them are amongst the Indians who have made not just their native village or state but the entire nation proud.

But have you ever heard of a non-human source of inspiration? And that too in the form of a place? Yes, you read that right.

There is in fact a small village in India that has not one or two but 60 millionaires! Let us deep dive and unfold this real-life inspirational story for you.

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Welcome To Hiware Bazar

Before 1989, Hiware Bazar, situated in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, was just like any other village of India. In 1972, it was even gripped with poverty and drought. But in the 1990s, the fate of the village suddenly began to change, and it transformed into a wealthy village, thanks to the village head named Popatrao Baguji Pawar. The village now has nearly 60 millionaires at present! And guess who they are. All farmers!

Yes! you read it right. The success behind the rags-to-riches story of this village is due to the transformation of the socio-economic fabric of the village by its head.

Roughly populated by around 1,250 people, this Hiware Bazar village is indeed a prime example of how people can change their fate through hard work and determination.

Besides the bustling markets, immaculate roads, green fields and some well-built houses kitted out with mod-cons, this village is great also due to its forbiddance towards open defecation, tobacco, deforestation, grazing, alcohol consumption etc.

And with each passing year, the village keeps on thriving to become better and better.

Also Read: 10 Super Cool Villages Every Indian Will Be Proud Of

The Beginning Of A Revolution

It was in 1989 when Popatrao Pawar was unanimously elected as a village head (sarpanch). And since then, there¡¯s been no looking back for this village and its success.

Primarily, Pawar prioritized ending the menace of smoking and inebriation by shutting down all the illicit liquor stores in the village. Then, he followed this by a ban on liquor and tobacco consumption.

Next, as the village barely receives a scant amount of rainfall every year, it became necessary to sort its water requirements. Taking this into account, Pawar arranged for a loan and began a rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation and management program in the village.

With the help from the villagers as well as the state government¡¯s funds, he collectively established several water bodies, including 52 earthen bunds, 32 stone bunds, check dams, and percolation tanks to store rainwater. He even ensured that thousands of trees were planted as well. The progress kickstarted as the technique of watershed helped the villagers with irrigation and for harvesting different crops too!

From having 90 wells back in the 1990s, this tiny village now has around 294 water wells. Within a few years, farming was back in full swing in this village and became the primary source of income for the villagers. Moreover, the village also rejected the use of water-intensive crops and alternatively focused more on pulses, vegetables, fruit, and flowers that require less water for growth.

Even former Indian Batsman and Legend VVS Laxman had tweeted about the village in 2020.

Popatrao Pawar, Sarpanch of Hiware Bazar transformed his village into a model green village. The village now has no BPL families,no alcohol consumption ,is nearly mosquito-free & was amongst the first open-defecation free villages in 1992. He has been recognised with a Padma Shri pic.twitter.com/RYXQkkYH8W

¡ª VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) February 3, 2020

The Present Day Scenario & Achievements

The villagers are now heavily focused on cattle farming. Back in the 20th century, about 33 gallons of milk was produced per day, whereas in the 21st century the growth has exponentially multiplied, with around 880 gallons being produced per day!

In 1995, out of 182 families living in the village, 168 were registered below the poverty line (BPL), whereas today the number is down to zero.

Other accomplishments by the village include-every home has a toilet, each house uses biogas, schools and a healthcare system have been built, electricity and water runs all across the village,etc.

And that's not all! 3 women are reportedly on the 70-member panchayat (self-government system), and every second daughter¡¯s marriage and education expenses are borne by the village itself!

The village even boasts the Highest Per Capita Income in the country. The villagers here reportedly earn an average of Rs 30,000 every month, and out of the 235 families at present, 60 are millionaires!

The ¡®Ideal Village¡¯ & Highest Accolades

The village also obtained the title of¡¯ Ideal Village¡¯ by the Maharashtra Government.

Even our Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi honoured the outstanding work done by the village head as well as the villagers. Popatrao Pawar has even been appointed chairman of the Model Village Programme of Maharashtra, whose motive is to create 100 similar villages. Surely, there seem to be brighter days ahead!

Also Read: Meet Padma Shri Ali Manikfan: Marine Researcher, Ecologist, All Without Any Formal Education

Mr.Popatrao even received the prestigious Padma Shri award in November 2021 for social work, from President Kovind.

President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Pawar Popatrao Bhaguji for Social Work. He is a farmer and sarpanch of Hiware Bazar panchayat in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. He is credited to have transformed it from an impoverished village into a model of development. pic.twitter.com/zvLmKvDWLN

¡ª President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 8, 2021

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