Jhurheri, a village on the fringes of Chandigarh, dreams big as the government acquires land at record rates for an international airportThis is among the biggest land compensation rates in India and the villagers know what it means for them—five years down the line, Jhurheri will be synonymous with Chandigarh. “Well, it’s quite likely. After all, 20 years ago, no one had heard of Mohali. One cricket stadium brought it on the international map. That could happen to Jhurheri,” says Prem Singh, the sarpanch.The airport project has encouraged villagers to dream big. The village of about 200 houses — most of them are mud and stone houses with tin roofs — has narrow, dusty streets with potholes and no streetlights. “Now that we will have visitors in big, fancy cars, these roads will certainly have to be relaid,” says Prem Singh.Kaka Singh, who owns land in the village, says, “We have given away our land in the hope that the international airport will change our fortunes drastically. Our kids have long been seen as children of unsophisticated farmers; now they will be global managers,” says Kaka Singh.Jhurheri isn’t letting the money get to its head. Unlike many other villages that spent all the money they got from land deals on fancy cars and huge mansions, villagers here know where to park their fortunes. “Around six years ago, farmers of Sohana and adjoining villages in Mohali got some compensation amount for the land acquired to develop Sectors 76 to 80. But they did no fiscal management and spent it on luxury cars — Mercedes, Pajero, Skoda. Now, they are back on streets and are left with neither their cars nor the money. We will ensure that this money is spent in educating our children at good institutes,” says Patta Singh.Kaka Singh’s 19-year-old-Kulbir is preparing for his IIM entrance examinations. Six months ago, Kaka Singh had told him that he could only afford to send him to a local college that offers a diploma course in management. But Kaka Singh and Kulbir have now set their sights high—“nothing less than an IIM will do for my son,” says Kaka Singh.Eighty two-year-old Gurdial Singh is all set to become the richest farmer in the village — the government will buy his 16 acres for Rs 24 crore. The old man, who heads a family of 15 members, has already made some smart planning—he has decided to invest in a piece of land near Patiala. “I have decided to buy a big chunk of fertile land near Patiala for Rs 15 to 18 lakh an acre. If I buy 100 acres, we can save Rs four and a half crore. With the rest of the money, I can buy a tractor and a family car. The rest of the money can be deposited in the bank,” he calculates with the astuteness of a businessman.Sarpanch Prem Singh says that these days, the village chaupal buzzes with plans. He recalls how one of the more enterprising villagers plans to open a ‘village club’ that will have an air conditioned mini cafetaria. “But he wants to serve chilled lassi and dal-roti, not coffee or pizza,” Prem Singh laughs.
