India is a country of diversity, where villages are often associated with backwardness or low resources. But, can you imagine that there exists a village in India which has the distinction of being the richest village not only in the country but in the entire Asian continent? The economic prosperity of this village surpasses even any big metropolis or corporate hub. We are talking about 'Madhapar Village' located in Kutch district of Gujarat state in Western India. This village, situated near the district headquarters Bhuj, has today become the center of discussion in the country and the world due to its immense wealth, modern infrastructure and unique lifestyle. The financial strength of this village can be gauged from the fact that people here have a huge amount of deposits of more than Rs 7,000 crore in the form of fixed deposits (FD) in the local banks. In this special report, we will introduce you to the complete story of this unique village and the secrets of its unmatched wealth. Luxurious mansions and modern facilities like metros are the identity of this village. When someone enters the limits of Madhapar village for the first time, it feels like a hi-fi posh township or a city in a foreign country rather than a village. The roads here are completely wide, paved and clean. There are big luxurious bungalows and mansions built in the village, looking at which the very rich people look like they have failed. Many facilities like pure drinking water supply, excellent underground drainage system, state-of-the-art health center, excellent schools for higher education and parks are available to the residents of the village. Apart from this, the village also has many grand and beautiful temples which reflect its cultural richness. It is really surprising to see this level of amenities in a rural environment and that is why it is known as the most developed and prosperous rural area of the country. The presence of 17 big banks and the amazing figure of fixed deposits of Rs 7,000 crore, the biggest and surprising feature of Madhapar village is its banking infrastructure. Generally, one or two bank branches are rarely found in a normal village, but in Madhapar, a total of 17 big branches of almost all the major government and private banks of the country are present. These include many big financial institutions like State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Axis Bank. The total amount deposited by villagers and NRI families in these banks has almost crossed the fixed deposit (FD) mark of Rs 7,000 crore. According to bank officials, the total deposits and transactions coming here are more than the total business of many small towns, which clearly testifies to the economic strength of this village. The big secret of NRI connection is hidden behind this immense wealth and prosperity. The question arises that from where does this small village get such immense wealth and money? The main reason for this is the strong foreign connection of this village. More than 1,200 families from Madhapar village have settled abroad, most of whom are working in big business or in senior positions in the UK, African countries and other western countries. Despite living abroad, the roots of these people are deeply connected to their motherland. They keep a large part of their foreign earnings safe in the form of fixed deposits or savings accounts in the banks and post offices of their native villages. Apart from this, organizations like 'Madhapar Village Association' have also been formed in London and other countries which keep the people settled abroad connected with their villages and cooperate in development works. Along with modernity, agriculture and traditional roots are also strong. The success of Madhapar village is not only dependent on the money coming from abroad, but the local agriculture and trade here is also its backbone. On the fertile land around the village, farmers produce bumper crops of mango, papaya, sugarcane, maize and other vegetables with the help of modern technologies. The agricultural produce here is not only consumed locally but is also exported to other big markets of the country. Despite moving ahead in the race of modernity, the people here have not forgotten to love their culture, tradition and soil. It is the mutual brotherhood and dedication of the village people towards their soil that makes Madhapar the most unique and glorious village of India.
