Gulni

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Gulni
type = village
latd = 25.32 | longd = 85.28
locator_position = right
state_name = Bihar
district = Nalanda
parliament_const = Nalanda
assembly_const = Hilsa
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 44
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 2,001 | population_density = 250
area_magnitude= km
area_total = 8
area_telephone = 916111
postal_code = 801302
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio = 1.017
literacy = 60.00%
website = www.gulni.org
footnotes =

Gulni is a village in the heart of the State of Bihar, India. It is surrounded by rivers on the south and the north. It is 4 kilometres south of Hilsa, Bihar, in Nalanda district of Republic of India. It produces crops worth over $1 million every year primarily rice, wheat, potato and livestock. It is also the home of many people who play a pivotal role in their professions across the globe, e.g., Sanjay Kumar who is an IAS officer in the state of Orissa, India, Prafull Chandra Verma a software professional and Dr. Amit Kumar to list a few.

History

People started inhabitation in this place close to 1840s, the oldest known residents are Tufani Yadav, and Anant Mahto whose clan almost forms the one fourth of village population. This village is also known as 'Madhopur Sakin Gulni'.

Gradually people from other business castes started migrating to this village primarily due to ample availability of cultivable hinterland.

Tej Bahadur Singh (popularly known as Singhji), was one of the prominent freedom fighters from this village. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and led the mass mobilization against foreign rule. He was active since 1931 till independence.

Post independence the village saw phenomenal growth in crop production and came into main stream of government system. Rise in number of engineers, doctors, educationists, entrepreneurs, and other human resources have been manifold since independence in 1947. This led to rapid growth in art and culture related activities – Saryug Thakur is famous for his humorous acts in plays across the district, whereas Bechan Pandit is an art guru.

Sanjay Guruji (Sanjay Prasad) introduced the village cultural programme in the 1990s, which takes place usually on every Basant Panchami (a festival to please the Goddess of edification – Sarswati). Rajballabh Prasad Yadav (popularly known as Balama) is the key instrument beater (dholakia master) on such occasion. Subhash Mahto is the director of this cultural event.

During the 1963 a major tube bore well was injected to irrigate barren lands. This helped in cultivation of more than three crops in a year, boosting surplus production of crops. The tube well was set-up under a program envisaged by Prime Minister Pt. Jawarlal Nehru – the first PM of India. The tube well is popularly known as Tigul.

Centres of learning

The village is equipped with primary and pre-secondary education centers. Primary School Gulni is located at the front of the village and serves the need of a few people. Due to lack of modern infrastructure, not many people send their children to this school, rather they prefer to send them to Middle School Gulni Haiderpur, which is slightly more equipped. Nevertheless, among the most successful people of this village more than 90% have taken primary education in either of these two schools.

High School Yogipur Gosainpur is the main secondary school of this village for years. Most of engineers, doctors, managers, and entrepreneurs have attended this school till 10^th standard. Birendar Babu (a teacher of this school) is the flag holder in promoting secondary education among the villagers. Rambabu High School of Hilsa also serves the need of people.

St. Udasin College, Hilsa is the nearest degree college, however most of the people have studied at Science College, B.N. College, A.N. College or other schools of higher education in Patna or abroad. This is primarily due to brand-value associated with the later.

Political structure

Till recent elections, Gulni was a gram panchayat (the smallest democratic unit in the Indian political system). The panchayat is headed by a Mukhiya, who spearheads the village council of members.

Naval Prasad Yadav was the recent Mukhiya of this village until he was defeated by an opponent from a near by village.

Gulni Thakurwari and religious places

Gulni Thakurwari is the main religious temple of this village. The Thakurwari is a host of numerous old age statues of several Hindu god and goddess. This is run by public donation of people of Gulni.

Devi and Kali Sthana (The place of goddess) is one of the key religious temple located at the front of the village. It is a notion that every year a Gramata (annual worship of goddess) should be done, it is almost followed without fail. The Gramata is conducted with co-operative donation.

Mahadeva Sthana (The place of lord Shiva) is another key temple, which is the centre of religious hyme. During the month of Sravana (a month as per Hindu calendar) devotees comes here for worship with immense faith.

Eminent personalities

Muneshwar Prasad Yadav – he was one of the founding father of educated village. He was one of the key inspirer of education among the poor people. He set an extra ordinary example of elevating his sons Er. Mahendra Prasad Yadav and Dr. Bidya Bhushan Bidhu to the front of social transformation.

Sideshar Prasad – Mr. Prasad holds the largest piece of land in this village, however he promotes education and service related business ahead of farming. Nevertheless, he seldom compromises on his productivity of farming goods.

Rajendra Prasad Verma – This name is very common among the villagers, particularly those who are needy. He is often seen in the Musahari Tola counseling people.

Om Prakash Narayan – Om Prakash is a professor of mathematical sciences in Magadh University, one of the biggest universities in India. He is a distinguished scholar in the field of mathematical research.

Sukhdeo Mahto – Sukhdeo Mahto was active in 80s and 90s. He played a pivotal role in integrating the village economy by opening the door for Mushahar and other poor people. It is with his effort that Mushahars were able to trade their small earnings in the commercial center, he established at the heart of the village. He is also considered as the driving force behind replacement of Jaata (a primitive machine used to manually produce flour from wheat), Dhenki (a traditional mechanical machine for furnishing rice from paddy grains) and Samaath (a manual instrument used to furnish rice) with automated machines, which helped the farmers and particularly poor people in investing more time in their core activities. Introduction of automated machines for flour and rice furnishing also paved way to many small children to enter school, since they were no longer required to spend several hours in helping their parents make the grain ready for cooking.

Crime

For many years it was a very peaceful place to live in, consequently it was considered to be an Adarsh Grama (ideal village). However, recently there have been instances of some internal conflicts, which have diminished its reputation of being an Adarsh Grama.

Nevertheless the local judicial court at Hilsa receives at least five cases per year, mostly pertaining to land-disputes, family and internal conflicts, etc.

During 70s and 80s, at the peak of communal unrest, this village did not experience any upsurge in crime. Overall this village may be considered to be a place of safe living, if recent instances are ignored.

Economy

The strength of this village lies in its produces namely services, crops, and bricks industry. About 10% of the total population is engaged in service sector which contributes to over 80% of the revenue.

A large number of people have migrated to different parts of India and Americas in search of sustainable access to development opportunities.

People

The population of this village is approximately 2000 (including those who have migrated, as they own land and infrastructure). Of 60% literate population only 20% constitute women literates, which is a matter of concern for the people and the State. Several projects have been kicked-off including the Prime Minister Rural Literacy Programme to increase literacy among people.

Most of the educated population is engaged in either government services or working with major national or international corporations. Education sector is one of the biggest employers after agriculture. Rajendra Choudhary, Ramanand Yadav, Amrit Choudhary, Kamlesh Choudhary, Nagendar Paswan, Ramchandar Paswan, Jitendar Paswan, Jogi Paswan, Kapil Yadav, Bhola Yadav, Sanjay Prasad, Rajendra Prasad and Satyanarayan Yadav are among the most notable educationists and intellectuals of this village.

Entrepreneurship is another area where people are venturing forward, and many have emerged as successful entrepreneurs viz. Alakha Singh (North Americas), Dhananjay Sinha (Jharkhand), Akhilesh Sinha (JH), Vinod Sinha (JH), Devraj Mahto (Patna), Krishna Mahto (Patna), Rajan Yadav (Bihar Sharif).

Suresh Paswan and Kameshwar Prasad (Baikunth) are very popular among government sector employees for their radiant support to development activities.

Gulni.org

Gulni.org is a not-for-profit organization promoted by people of this village. Its aim is to empower the residents with electronic infrastructure for sharing and collaborating best practices among themselves and with others.

Presently there are two blogs hosted as part of initial effort to establish linkage and infrastructural readiness namely [http://gulni.org/index.php?blog=2 GMAT] - Graduate Management Admissions Test and [http://gulni.org/index.php?blog=3 Business Schools] - International MBA Schools.

External links

* [http://wikimapia.org/452370 Gulni on wikimap]
* [http://www.AnantParivar.com Gulni Parivar, a portal dedicated to family hierarchy of some of the key residents of Gulni]
* [http://www.Gulni.Org Gulni.Org, a portal owned by Gulni.Org NPO]