Connecting Kuched

Every 4th generation of farmers are at risk to become poor. Why? Because as family grows from one to two and from two to 3 and 4, land gets divided between all sons and daughters.

In the year between 1810 and 1820, from village name Champaner which is located close to the famous mountain Pavagadh and temple of Goddess Mahakali, 4 Charotar Patel came in the area to find suitable land to get settled.

In those days there were no cars, proper roads or modes of transportation. They used ox cart (Badalgadi) for the journey and came through Jungle by facing wild animals. At this time Britishers’ were ruling the country and Surat area was ruled by the king name Gayakvada. During that time, land was basically owned by the people who plowed the land.

These 4 farmers were satisfied with land conditions and other stuff and went to the Valsad area to find better land but did not manage to find anything and came back to our village. There used to be river between Pera and our village.

During that time someone name Nagar Seth was plowing many of the lands and he was big devotee of Lord Shiva so they used to do Poojah of Shiv linga in a small hut by Moti Mata.

This Nagar Seth used to come every day to this hut by swimming across the river.

These 4 farmers built a small shelter/temporary house where our Mandir is situated today. They installed/established God and started doing prayers every day.

Out of 4, one of them (Bhula Lalani Pil), built house in Adi Od

2nd farmer whose name was (Vanavi Devji Pil) built house in Raja Fariyu.

3rd farmer- Nathu Vira ni Pil built house in Gola Fariyu and

The 4th farmer - Deva LalaBavji in Pil built house in Mandir Fariyu.

These 4 framers divided the land that was in the perimeter of our village and started plowing and working on lands. At that time farming was all dependent on Rain. Each of them produced different types of crops and exchanged with each other to live the life and have food for the family. Along with farms they also raised cattle and selling milk and butter to earn some money.

At that time there was not much trade using money/currency.

1 aano = 6 paisa = 0.00015 cent

4 aana = 24 paisa = 0.00062 cent

Cost of various items back in the days.

1 KG butter (Ghee) - 6 paisa

5 KG Rice - 1 aano

5 KG Wheat - 1 aano

1 KG Tea = 4 aana

10 gm of Gold = 40 Rupees.

They had to travel all the way to Maroli and Navasari to get these items.

As families grew, new houses started get built and it became village. There were leva patidar people living around our area during that time. To go back to charotar by Jungle route was difficult so these farmers stopped having their daughters married that far away and started to get them married among Surati leva Patidar so we became Surati leva from Charotar leva. Those days were very difficult but by keeping good relation with others and by helping each others Kuched Gaam came about.

In the year 1858, the temple that was like a little hut got an upgrade and reconstructed into space for prayers and discussions. Also, Motimata’s temple was also converted into better place for lord Shiva.

So now slowly 19th Century transitioned into 20th century. As years went by few people from village started to go abroad. During that time, if you had some money you can make a farmer’s passport and could go easily outside the country. It used to cost Rs. 2 to make a passport.

In 1900s, for the 1st time son of Mr. Vallabhbhai Parsotambhai went to Durban, South Africa and got settled.

In 1905, Balubhai Parsotambhai went to Mozambique, South Africa and got settled with his son Bhikhabhai.

In 1913, Nathubhai Chhitabhai got a high school certificate from Maroli Highschool and than finished his college.

In 1915, Parbhubhai Vallabhbhai got settled in Johannesburg, South Africa.

In 1920, Gopalbhai, Jagabhai and Dullabhbhai also went to get settled in Johannesburg.

In 1926, Gopalbhai Kalabhau Nathu went to settle in Malavi.

In 1930, Parbhubhai Haribhai participated in Salt March to Dandi (the fight against Taxes levied by Britishers for salt) as a freedom fighter against Great Britain. He was only 25 years old when he participated. He passed away at the age of 102 in the year 2005. Salt March had greatly contributed toward fighting against Britishers.

In the year 1909, the temple that was made of very basic structure was reconstructed with the help of people of went abroad.

In 1934, Vanmadibhai Kanabhai went to Nairobi to get settled.

In 1935, Jairambhai Jogi Prema went to Mombasa Kenya

In 1935, Govindbhai Kalabhai went to Panamaas well as Bhulabhai Lalabhau Kuvarji went to South Africa

In 1939, Rambhai Morarbhai went to Zambia

In 1949, Morarbhai Lallubhai graduated from the University.

In 1950, Our country was freed from Britishers.

In 1952, Gopalbhai Kalabhai Nathu gave a donation to build gov. Primary school iin the village.

In 1952, our Kuldevi Mata’s temple was made padre.

In 1956, Gordhanbhai Lallubhai came to USA and got a Ph. D. from Georgia University. Not only that he also served as a dean at the Georgia State University. He also served on the board for University of Athens, Georgia.

In 1960, for the first-time electricity was installed and inaugurated by our first Prime Minister Morarji Desai. There were about 7000 people together. At the same time waterworks and water tank building were also constructed.

In 1962, Ukai Dam was built, and the canal system was extended in our village in few years. Once water started to come through the canal in 1969, people started to farm all year round.

In 1968, Dena Bank came into the village for the first time.

In 1972, there were protests against government by Gujarat Farmers Samaj for not paying the taxes for the crops grown by farmers. So many people were arrested during the protests.

3 people from our village were also arrested and stayed in jail for 20 days.

1. Parbhubhai Haribhai

2. Vallabbhai Kuvarnjibhai

3. Bhikhabhai Lallubhai

At the same time, Dr. Dayaram Patel (Bardoli) and Mr. Sambhumaraj organized the meeting in our village and about 50,000 people gathered for it. Gopalbhai Kalabhai spearheaded this meeting with the help of other people in Gaam.

In 1978, from the inspiration from Mr. Chhotubhai Naranjibhai, people from our village who were residing in USA and other countries started to collect donation to make improvements in our village.

In 1980, village people who got settled overseas made a plan to make few improvements in the village.

From 1900s to 21st century, few of the improvement that made in the village,

1997: New Mandir was built by spending 35 lakh rupees. This was the 4th time when Temple was rebuilt as good as it is right now. It opened on 9th January. Every year we celebrate this anniversary on 9th of January.

In 1999, with the help of Vitthalbhai Ramabhai Kalabhai, Chhotubhai Naranjibhai and Ratilala Vanmadi Kalabhai pure water plant (Aarohplant) was installed.

In 2000, Gopalbhai Chhitabhai played a role in allocating land for cremation.

In 2002, the old primary school was renovated and turned into hospital to help village people and people from other villages can have access to health care services. Chhotubhai Naranjibhai donated 10 lakhs for this venture. To run the hospital, corpus fund of Rs. 40 lakh was generated with the help of people like us living overseas. Income generated from this corpus is being used to treat patients and give medications. There is a hung amount of corpus grown as of today.

We also created a fund called Education Charitable Trust to help anyone who wants to pursue higher education in any field.

In 2003, proper roads were made in the village.

In 2004, Village entrance was created from the generous donation by Sureshbhai Vallabhbhai. Beautiful garden was also created.

Since the year 2006, every year Ganpati Festival is being celebrated in the village.

In 2008, outside of Dena bank, place for everyone to sit was created and benches and shed was installed.

In 2010, In Hadpati place, Anganwadi was started by the government

In 2014, With Initiative taken by Arunbhai Dalubhai, gov. Primary school was upgraded including building, gardens and play areas, water service and school gate was made. A computer lab was also created and many children are benefitting. Everyday food is also served to economically challenged children. Today in primary school 1 to 8 grades are functioning.

In 2017, metal shade located at Padar was upgraded and 4 swings were placed.

In 2018, our Kuldevi Kutai Mata mandir was renovated at the cost of 27 lakh rupees by collecting donations from Kuched gaam. It was inaugurated on 15th of June 2018. Mahaprasad and inauguration was sponsored by Champakbhai Jivanbhai and Sureshbhai Vallabhbhai.

Friends, today in our village various facilities are available such as hospital, post office, library, government primary school, Anganwadi, phone, internet and Wi-Fi services, gov. Clinic, Dena bank, office of village administration.

Lastly, how can we forget these 3 persons who dedicated and spent almost their entire life in giving service to Kuched Gaam.

1. Shree Ghelabhai Shukla had performed duty of temple Pujari for 40 years devotedly.

2. 2. Vanmalibhai Amaidas Maisuriya migrated to Kuched from Pera in 1948 and fulfilled the daily needs & occasions of Kuched Gaam residents.

3. Shukkerbhai Tapali (postman) from Vesma who delivered mails to the people of gaam for many years.

Mr. Bharatbhai Parbhubhai Patel has helped us gather and draft this information who was working as the member of " Gujarat Secondary & Higher Secondary Education Board ". Thanks Bharatbhai.

People of Kuched has mingled with people of many countries as sugar melts in the milk and sweetens the milk. Many people have been living on UK, USA and other countries since 1960s. At least one member of each family has settled down in other countries. Though they have settled down in foreign countries, the call of their motherland compels them to visit their native village and liberaly donate for the uplifting of the village and as a result there has been all sorts of amenities in the village.

This reminds us the famous lines of a Gujarati poet Adil Mansuri

Who said this land is alien to us. Still we inhale the sweet air of our native.

In fact, our relations have strengthened now.

We have blood relation with our native.