NAGPUR: A decade ago, his village languished in perpetual poverty with the per capita income at Rs832. Today, it’s the richest in the state with a per capita income of Rs28,000, and a model that the World Water Forum is thinking of replicating to curb poverty.
So when 45-year-old Popatrao Pawar, the sarpanch of Hiwre Bazar in Ahmednagar district, known internationally as a great motivator, received the 2007 Krishi Ratna award, the state’s highest medallion to those rendering services in rural and farm sector, on Monday, one message was loud and clear from his villagers — “Come to our village and see for yourselves. Together we can do it!”
It’s just another award for Popatrao - who played first-class cricket but chose to go back to his village’s barren fields. “It’s important to work in areas like Vidarbha and do our best,” he told DNA after receiving the award on behalf of his village at Dr Vasantrao Deshpande hall, in Nagpur by the Governor, Dr SC Jamir.
Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat were present at the event that was attended by hundreds of farmers from across the state.
The government confers Krishi Ratna, Krishi Bhushan, Udyan Pandit, Jeejamata Krishi Bhushan and Sheti-Mitra awards every year.
Interestingly, the state government gave cash awards this time after being hit by the gold medal-scam.
Paddy grower-innovator Dadaji Khobragade, from Chandrapur district, had complained last year that the medal given to him under Krishi Bhushan award was not gold but poor quality metal. The government had recalled the 19 medals and rectified its mistake. Dadaji was compensated with a cheque of Rs 37,000, last Friday.
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