how did we solve "dhamrashla" dam problem

this is one of the most exciting experience of my life :) as I explained we were building a dam in dhamrashla and the dam had bund according to counters so the bund has to pass thru the filed of one of the farmer called "kana poncha" .. very stubborn guy !!!

usually we dont pay reimbursement to farmer for the land being covered under bund [not a big one but may be 100 mt x 3 mt patch of land] but we expect the farmer to sign MoU that the land still remains under his ownership but allowing us to build the bund and he will not get any monitory benefit for that.

I know this is really difficult challenge and matter of fact if we dont lay that bund across his farm we cannot complete the dam construction and to the extent that we cannot build a "gorge' [central portion of river] and let the water go waste... oops!!! the water was costlier then gold in that water scare area!!! and the whole village was benefiting from that dam :) but we can't move because one farmer is not willing to give his land to let us lay a bund.. :)

we tried our level best to negotiate.. the village leaders.. older and respectable people .. all tried.. the guy was having an argument that the approach to his farm will close.. and his neighbour was as usual his brother and they were having not good terms so.. he was hesitant to pass thru his brother's farm..

what a dead lock!!!

we tried all possible options.. no movement :(!!! completely dead project..

finally Mr. Anil shah who was CEO then.. called upon a meeting with minister of Irrigation Mr. Karamsibhai Makwana.. convinced him to intervene the case..

finally one day I got a call from Mr. Vora incharge PC] to get down to Mr. Karamshibhia's house [which was 3 km from dhandhalpur and just opposite to dhamrashala village].. I took my bike.. went to his place.. Mr. Vorabhai was too there.. Mr. Karamshibhia.. a very simple village man and yet with a great support from his community a good political leader and in the position of minister.. was sitting there.. he welcomed me.. offered me a cup of tea,, we talked.. he said lets go !!

I was ready.. Mr. Vorabhai was too.. but i was surprised that there was no car!! no car with red light on top... no private big car.. [this is 1993!!! the minister are still simple living and high thinking personalities!!].

so i stood up.. he asked me how have you come? I was in a bit low voice said.. i have a bike [rajdoot].. he said OK i will ride that :) and i was like what ????? ohhhhh!! wow!! completely surprised...

so I drove him to the village where in village we had other AKRSP team members.. waiting for us.. Mr. Karamshibhai went to one of the village's respected "god's messenger"["bhuva"] and took a place.. he asked some one to call kana poncha..

the farmer took time to come.. he came with discreet entry.. stood silent.. as Karamshibhai is a big personality.. and once he call some one .. its kind of a BIG BIG thing...

Karamshibhai explained him what AKRSP is doing, what are the benefits to whole village etc..

the guy explained his problem.. karamshibhai.. asked "god's messanger' to find god's will.. he does.. he said GOD too in favor of big dam.,.. Karamshibhai asked "kana poncha" to sign the MoU... he did agree but requested karamshibhai to come to see his farm first..

we all went on site.. walked far to his farm.. we explained about bund position etc..

finally karamshibhia talked to farmer how he will be benefited and how can he approach his farm... and promised him to support if he face any problem...

the guy agreed!!! he signed the MoU/ NoC... ......

that was the day of history in AKRSP -sayla...

what an achievement... we solved 3 years old problem.

Bravo Karamshibhai!!

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Babloo in the cabinet!!

I am recollecting old memories so not sure about dates!! but it was in feb/mar 1994..

Babloo ; the younger son of Mr. Vorabhai and Roshan bhabhi!! very naughty as usual of any young child of his age, he was approximately 5 yrs of age that time...

I usually work until late evenings in my office.. it was around 6:30.. Vorabhai was on a field trip, Roshanbhabhi came rushed  to my office with a worried face.. and desperately.asking me "Manishbhai did you see babloo? I said no!!! She explained that for past 30-45 min he is out of sight!!

she further added that she tried to look for him around her a house block, area around quarter, devjibhai and shivram's quarter... almost all possible places... he is no where!!!

I started worrying as well... and told bhabhi that let me go to the highway at 'chandu bhai's pan shop" or "maraj's restaurant" !! of course I was not sure that babloo could reach up to those spots.. but since he is not in campus, I thought to give a me try.....

I walked up to highway [20-30 meter from our campus!!] tried to look around.. look for babloo in those two spots.. asked chandubhai and maraj..... No success... so now this is a crisis...

I rushed back .... updated Roshanbhabhi.. she was now really panicking.... I went inside the office again,.. suddenly I heard tapping/ knocking sound ...I tried to look around!! the sound was coming from a bit far from my "engineering room"... and I found that it is coming from Rajeshbhai's office... I rushed there...

and surprisingly.... babloo came out from Rajeshbhai's table cabinet.. :)

what a feeling.. what will you say to an innocent kid?!!!! I smiled at him , hold his hand and took him out to Roshanbhabhi.. (his mother)  !!! what an experience!!

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