DINGUCHA (GANDHINAGAR): An NRI status is the mark of success in Dingucha – the last village in Gandhinagar district on the way to Mehsana.
This is very clear the moment you step into the settlement: posters advertising ‘student’s visa to Canada and USA’ are visible anywhere you turn in the village, which recently gathered infamy after four of its residents froze to death while being smuggled from Canada into the US. Of its 7,000-strong population, nearly half are settled in countries like the US, the UK or Canada.
According to the village panchayat records, 3,200 of its residents live abroad. Locals admit the village has two options for youngsters: either get a US citizenship or become an agent, gain expertise in international travel and turn into a tool of earning in Dingucha and other nearby villages.
Kanu Patel, an agriculturist from the village, said that his parents, elder brother, sister-in-law along with their two kids settled in the US state of Pennsylvania around 6 years ago. “We have a population of around 7,000 and half of the people are either in the US, Canada or the UK. There are international travel agents in every lane of the village. They have links with bigger agents in Delhi, Mumbai as well as people in countries like the US and Canada.”
Seeking anonymity, a resident, who works as an agent in Kalol, said his family visited the US about 10 years ago. “I understood the entire system and began helping the others to settle in the US. I later began working as an agent. I will continue working till I get enough money to settle abroad,” he said.
Village talati Jayesh Chaudhary said that the moment a boy or girl passes primary school, s/he begins preparations to fly to the US or Canada. “Due to this desperation, half of the population is either in the US or Canada or even in Australia. The NRIs sometimes fly back here during winter. They contribute towards the development of the village,” said Chaudhary.
Patel added, “The village seems deserted most of the time. However, it has the look of a developed city with pucca roads, two big schools, hospitals, community halls and banks. This has been possible because those who left for foreign shores have constantly contributed to the village’s development.”
On being questioned about illegal immigration facilitated by agents, the talati said he was unaware of any such practice in the village. Village sarpanch Mathurji Thakor was not available for his comment on this issue.
