Gujarat's Rural Revival: NRIs Drive Transformation Through 'Vatan Prem Yojana'

State-backed scheme sparks infrastructure boom in native villages with NRI support​

Ahmedabad, April 5 — Gujarat’s rural heartland is undergoing a profound transformation, powered by the state government’s Vatan Prem Yojana, a unique public-private partnership initiative that channels the generosity of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) toward the development of their native villages.

Launched in 2021, the scheme has become a model for collaborative development, inviting NRIs of Gujarati origin to fund infrastructure projects—from school upgrades to community facilities—bringing new life to remote areas.

Khadal's Educational Leap with NRI Donations​

In Khadal village, located in the Kheda district, the impact of the Vatan Prem Yojana is clearly visible. Thanks to NRI contributions totaling ₹72 lakh, the village has built a new school that now provides quality education to nearly 400 students.

Village sarpanch Phulsinh Zala highlighted the shift in local enthusiasm:

“Children have become enthusiastic. People from other villages come here to witness this transformation. They were curious about how it was built, so I explained that it was constructed under the Vatan Prem Yojana.”

Click to expand...

This grassroots success story has inspired neighboring villages to explore similar possibilities through the scheme.

Uttarsanda Sets the Bar as a ‘Smart Village’​

Uttarsanda, another village in Kheda with a population of 12,000, stands out as a flagship example of the initiative’s potential. With an impressive ₹9 crore in NRI funding, the village has implemented several projects, including the modernization of schools, construction of a new crematorium, renovation of ponds, and a contemporary bus stand.

At the MI Patel English Medium School, students now benefit from smart classrooms, modern projectors, clean drinking water facilities, and CCTV surveillance—upgrades made possible solely through NRI contributions.

Kaushikbhai Patel, an NRI donor, shared his motivation:

“We live abroad, but our country is our love. This is my belief, and this is what has inspired us. This is why we are determined to work for the village.”

Click to expand...

Chicago-based Hariharbhai Patel, along with his relatives, donated ₹40 lakh to construct a new crematorium on his ancestral land in Uttarsanda.

“This crematorium was originally named after my father, but we decided to renovate it. Then we built a new crematorium and developed it so villagers would have better facilities,” he said.

Click to expand...

A Vision for Rural Progress​

The Vatan Prem Yojana exemplifies how emotional ties to one’s homeland can be translated into impactful development. By empowering NRIs to give back, Gujarat has created a sustainable model where village-level upliftment is driven by both state support and community participation.

As more success stories emerge, the scheme is quickly becoming a beacon of hope for rural Gujarat’s future.