Village turns a beacon of sustainability

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 24

On the Jalandhar-Ludhiana National Highway, just 40 km from Jalandhar, a middle-sized village of 9,000 people is promising new hope to Punjab’s 12,000-odd villages on how to meet the future.

Honoured with the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab State Annual Environment Award, under the ‘gram panchaya’ category this Independence Day, Rurka Kalan is more than a model village.

From instituting environmental protection and sustainable practices to creating a sports infrastructure as well as educational facilities that may be the envy of several cities, the village is quietly celebrating its new-found glory.

The award, presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Independence Day, includes a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, a certificate of appreciation, and a silver plaque. Instituted last year on World Environment Day, the award is given annually under four categories — gram panchayat, industry, institution and NGO or social worker, highlighting exceptional efforts in safeguarding the environment. Jalandhar’s Bulandpur village resident Sumitri Devi, an Asha Worker, had also received this award this year under ‘NGO or social worker category’ for her environment related activities and work.

Spanning 3,200 acres and home to approximately 9,000 residents across 1,785 households, this village has undergone a remarkable transformation into a beacon of progress and innovation in the last over two decades.

Rurka Kalan’s resurgence began with a focus on revitalising its sports culture and youth engagement. The village, once renowned for producing over 25 international athletes, including football stars like Surjit Sandhu, who stood as the Indian football team’s goalkeeper during the 1982 Asian Games, and Anwar Ali, who played a pivotal role in the SAFF Cup and Nehru Cup victories, faced a setback during the turbulent years of Punjab militancy. This period saw a decline in its sports infrastructure and an increase in social challenges.

However, the village’s rejuvenation began when Gurmangal Dass, who left his engineering career, decided to dedicate himself to his village’s development. In 2000, Dass, with support from the Dera Bhai Sadhu (a charitable organisation), established the Youth Football Club (YFC) at Rurka Kalan.

Officially registered in 2001, the YFC has been instrumental in reviving the village’s sports culture, providing training and equipment, building stadiums and new facilities. This initiative has fostered a sense of community pride and responsibility among the youth, with several players representing India in international football tournaments, including FIFA.

Rurka Kalan’s transformation now extends beyond sports. The village has now invested heavily in infrastructure and sustainable practices.

With over Rs 20 crore spent on development projects so far, including government grants (both Centre and state) of Rs 3.5 crore, Rurka Kalan now boasts state-of-the-art facilities. These include computer labs, vocational training centre, a football stadium, Dasehra stadium and various sports courts, including volleyball, basketball, badminton, indoor wrestling hall, alongside essential community services like a cremation ground and sanitary facilities.

A significant achievement of Rurka Kalan is its water conservation initiatives. The village has implemented an extensive water management system, including five ponds, 30 soak pits, and two rainwater harvesting systems. Through its pond irrigation, filtration and recharge systems, the village at present is saving at least 3 billion litres of water every year.

Gurmangal Das, president of the YFC, says that these water conservation projects, including the construction of ponds where the sewerage water gets collected, and is pumped out for irrigation with the help of a pump run by solar power, has received much acclaim from across the nation.

Additionally, the village has embraced its cultural heritage by preserving historical structures and integrating them into its modern landscape. The heritage saths, traditional community spaces shaded by banyan trees, have become symbols of Rurka Kalan’s commitment to balancing historical preservation with contemporary progress.

Despite these successes, the village faces challenges, particularly financial constraints due to the lack of Panchayati land. It continues to rely on contributions from NRIs and the YFC for funding.

Feather in the cap: Best Panchayat Award | Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Environment Award | Presentation at a national workshop in Delhi | Uttam Pind Award

Aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030

Looking ahead, Rurka Kalan aims to achieve self-reliance and carbon neutrality by 2030. Future goals include advancing clean water and sanitation efforts, enhancing educational quality, and promoting sustainable agriculture in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

A testament to community work

Rurka Kalan stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community unites for a common cause. We have brought modern amenities to our residents’ doorsteps while ensuring that our legacy and culture thrive. — Gurmangal Das, president of youth football club