Nai Nangla in Haryana’s Mewat district could be just another Indian village, ridden with the usual problems of a people trapped in poverty: Lack of healthcare and clean water, low productivity, high unemployment and illiteracy. But Haji Siddiq Ahmed, a local farmer in his late 60s, sees a different vision. “I want this village to be an adarsh (model) village. Others should look up to this village — that this is what an ideal village should be like,” he says.
The image Ahmed sees is actually taking shape in this quiet village with a majority Muslim population. What’s more surprising is the way the change is taking hold. It may be difficult to imagine the humble folk of Nai Nangla as business executives, but the cool concepts reviving the economy of the village are no less professional.
“Credit is not such a big constraint now. There are people now who are looking for business,” says Khan.
Khan woke up to the need for change in his village when the voluntary organisation Pratham, which educates the urban poor, launched its services in the UK in December 2003. “In 35 days they can teach a person to read and write, and take interest in it,” he says. He asked Pratham to test the abilities of children in Nai Nangla. The results shocked him.
(This story appears in the 19 June, 2009 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
hats of to you, i wud like to support you Mr Mehmood, you can contact me on my e mail- valerian_lobo@hotmail.com
on Oct 7, 2009Thanks for sharing this with the network. You alone have achieved more than most institutes and caused lasting change for the better.
on Jun 29, 2009A truly inspirational story. So many of us out there whose networks can achieve so much more! If only we tried...
on Jun 21, 2009I strongly agree that Mr Mehmood, who had to become massihya of the whole township and helmets first was rejected by the system, all great efforts are rejected by masses at first, then accepted whole heartedly by very sincere efforts of Mr Mehmood....bravo I am with the mission any help required I am there.
on Jun 11, 2009I am a meo from Pakistan. I must commend the spirit and results produced through the vision of Mehmood Khan and hardwork of residents of Nai Nangla. Well done all; you can do a lot lot more; keep your efforts focussed and moving.
on Jun 9, 2009I would like to appreciate the hearty efforts of Mr.Mehmood Khan that are drastically required in more than 7 lakhs villages of India to bring positive changes at the ground level.Rural India needs people like Mr.Khan rather than illiterate,and self centered politicians.I wish all success to his new endeavors.
on Jun 7, 2009We all should learn the lesson from this story!!!
on Jun 7, 2009