Kotta: The Model Village

                                                

At age ten, Ravi's life took a sudden turn when he was sent to live with his father in a remote village. This was not just any village; it was a small, hilly settlement, nestled deep in the countryside, where the lush greenery, flowing rivulets, and dramatic canyons created a landscape of untamed beauty. But it was also a place far from the nearest town, with dusty roads, dilapidated houses, and a community struggling to make ends meet. This was Ravi’s adopted village known by the name Perinthatta (Kotta). Kotta reminded the fortes built by erstwhile rulers. Maybe Perinthatta resembled a forte with hills surrounding it.

Ravi's father had suffered a stroke and was confined to his bed, leaving the young boy to navigate this new world largely on his own. The village, with its primitive conditions, was a stark contrast to the more comfortable life Ravi had known. Yet, despite the hardships, he found himself enchanted by the land's raw, untouched beauty. The mountains whispered secrets to him, the streams sang songs of forgotten times, and the wind carried the scent of possibilities.

From the house, Ravi had to climb a steep hill of about 3000 feet height to reach the muddy road stretching from Porakkunnu to Aravanchal, where the road meets the commutable road to reach the nearest town, Payyanur. That was a vast dry land, the plateau of the hillock. No human habitation was possible here at that time due to the scarcity of water and all the villagers were confined to the banks of the Perinthatta river. Walking through the isolated road alone was frightening because of its loneliness and the occasional presence of poisonous snakes and wild animals.

Amid this rural wilderness, Ravi's imagination began to soar. He would spend hours wandering through the hills, crossing the rivulets, and climbing trees, all the while dreaming of a different future for this place. To him, Kotta, his secret name for the village was more than just a collection of rundown houses and struggling families. It was a canvas, waiting to be transformed into a masterpiece.

Ravi's dream was simple yet profound to turn Kotta into a model village, a place where others could learn about sustainable living, community spirit, and harmony with nature. In his mind, he envisioned clean, paved roads lined with flowering trees, modern homes, schools bustling with children eager to learn, and farmers using innovative techniques to cultivate the land. The rivulets would be harnessed to provide water and energy, the forests would be preserved and expanded, and the people of Kotta would thrive, living in unity and prosperity.

He knew it was a lofty dream, especially for a boy of ten, but that didn’t deter him. Ravi believed that with enough determination, anything was possible. He started small, helping his neighbours with chores, learning about farming, and spending time with the elders, listening to their stories and ideas. He shared his vision with anyone who would listen, planting seeds of hope and change in their hearts. His mother was the motivator for him telling old stories, prompting him to dream of big things. She always wanted him to think of big things.

At this age, Ravi can only dream of big things, especially in a village where politics is deeply enrooted with everyone’s life. Whatever subtle changes in the lives of villagers were dictated by local politicians. Decisions on selecting schools, reading newspapers, temple festivals, etc are all decided by the local leaders. As he grew up Ravi thought that the fate of Kotta was unchangeable unless he could convince at least a few of the leaders in the neighbourhood.

As the years went by, Ravi's bond with Kotta deepened. He grew up, but his dream never wavered. The challenges were many, lack of resources, resistance to change, and the ever-present struggles of rural life. Yet, Ravi persisted, driven by the same wild imagination that had once seen a future of endless possibilities in the hills and valleys of his father’s village. To make a visible change the villagers must realize his dream. This is possible only when villagers start dreaming. To inspire his villagers to dream big and create lasting changes in their lives, Ravi had to plan a combination of practical strategies to empower them. This can be accomplished with basic education to enhance literacy, which opens up new avenues for knowledge and opportunities through unconventional teaching. Try to educate villagers on various topics such as health, hygiene, financial literacy, and rights, which can empower them to take control of their lives.

The model village concept was agreed upon by a few. Thinking of a big change even if remote is tempting to some. The next issue is raising funds for the project. It was clear that villagers could not financially support even a small project. When Ravi got a few like-minded elders to support him, suggestions were put up. That is how the decision on land pooling came up. Land pooling is a method where landowners voluntarily come together to pool their land for a coordinated development project. Instead of acquiring land through direct purchase, land pooling offers a more collaborative approach.

Many villagers owned pieces of land in the vast terrain on the hilltop. This was largely unused except for procuring dry grass for the roofing of huts and as cattle feed. Villagers didn’t get any income. They agreed to pool under a common banner so that land would be developed and income generated would be shared. Kotta Village Developmental Society was created as an umbrella organization to oversee these changes. One member from each household was enrolled as a member. Those who provide land for pooling will be a shareholder who will get a share of profit. Others are ordinary members who can contribute at any point in time. All were involved in decision-making.

The pooled land was reconstituted and reorganized as per the development project. The land is usually divided into plots, with a portion allocated for public infrastructure (roads, parks, etc.) and the remaining used for sustainable cultivation. This encouraged community involvement in the developmental process. The next big issue here is the availability of water for cultivation. This area gets good rains during monsoon and Ravi has seen pools of water in some places. Without much financial obligation, ditches were created at certain locations to hold rainwater. With this water source, one acre of land was converted into a plant nursery. Flowering plants and fruit plants were collected from villagers and displayed. The grafting technique was adopted to make more varieties. Within a year, that area was filled with flowers and plants which attracted people from outside. Villagers spent a few hours on rotation to maintain the garden. School children were motivated to come for service on weekends which enabled them to learn community participation.

Once the project appeared colourful and profitable, villagers were encouraged. Funding came from different sources and more land was used for cultivation of mango trees, jackfruit trees, and cashew plants. Value-added products were made from the fruits. A four-lane road was built from Aravanchal to Kotta Village with median and solar lights. A guest house and cafeteria started for the visiting guests. School with smart classrooms and playgrounds was built in the village.  Community meetings were planned in which villagers could discuss and visualize the future they want for their village. This collective visioning can foster a sense of unity and shared purpose. Villagers were engaged in projects like building infrastructure, improving agriculture, or creating community spaces. Community living and improvement in social activities attracted many similar communities to visit, study, and implement this project in their locality.

Now, at the age of seventy, Ravi stands at the edge of Kotta, looking out at the land he has loved all his life. The village is still small, still humble, but it has changed in ways that the ten-year-old Ravi could never have fully imagined. It is not yet the model village he once dreamed of, but it is a place where people live with a sense of purpose and hope. The roads are better, the houses stronger, the fields more productive, and the community more united. By implementing these strategies, villagers can gradually shift their mindset from mere survival to thriving, fostering a culture of ambition and long-term change.

Ravi smiles as he walks down the familiar paths, remembering the boy who had once seen a different future in the same hills. Kotta, in its own way, is a model village, not because it is perfect, but because it embodies the spirit of resilience and the power of a dream nurtured over a lifetime. And in that, Ravi finds a sense of fulfillment, knowing that his dream, though still unfolding, has already touched the lives of many.