• Fri. Oct 24th, 2025

India’s Wealthiest Village: Dharmaj’s Global Success Story

ByAnkita dubey

Oct 14, 2025
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India’s wealthiest village is Dharmaj, an extraordinary place in Gujarat’s Anand district. This village reshapes everything you know about rural India. It blends global prosperity with deep local roots. Every family here has stories spanning continents, yet their hearts remain on this 17-hectare land.

The journey began in 1895 with pioneers like Jotaram Kashiram Patel and Chaturbhai Patel sailing to Uganda. Others, including Prabhudas Patel, settled in Manchester, earning the nickname ‘Manchesterwala’ back home. These early ventures laid the foundation for Dharmaj’s future wealth.

Govindbhai Patel established a tobacco empire in Aden. Each overseas journey created a vast, interconnected diaspora network. Today, approximately 1,700 Dharmaj families live in Britain, 800 in the United States, and 300 in Canada. Another 150 families reside in Australia and New Zealand, with more spread across Africa.

The key difference is these NRIs never severed their homeland connections. They became Dharmaj’s backbone, fueling its transformation. A formal experiment in 2007 united this global network for local development. The results have been truly remarkable.

RCC roads now line the village, neatly bordered with blocks. You won’t find garbage piles or stagnant water anywhere. Cleanliness is a shared responsibility here. The Panchayat enforces it, and every villager embraces it wholeheartedly.

Entertainment and green spaces reflect equal foresight. Surajba Park in Gouchar offers swimming, boating, and gardens at modest rates. Fifty bighas of land provide year-round green fodder for livestock. An underground drainage system, operational since 1972, surpasses many Indian cities.

Economically, Dharmaj is an absolute marvel. It hosts 11 bank branches from nationalised, private, and cooperative lenders. These institutions handle deposits exceeding Rs 1,000 crore. The first Dena Bank branch opened here on December 18, 1959.

Gram Sahakari Bank followed on January 16, 1969, under H.M. Patel’s guidance. Patel was a Dharmaj native who later became India’s finance minister. His legacy continues to shape the village’s financial landscape.

Luxury permeates everyday life in this unique village. Mercedes, Audi, and BMW cars glide through the streets regularly. Houses named “Rhodesia House” and “Fiji Residence” celebrate overseas ventures. Even cemetery donation plaques in shillings reflect Africa’s enduring influence.

Dharmaj’s panchayat model offers a national lesson in governance. With ample resources, local support, and strong NRI involvement, the village achieves true self-governance. This collaborative approach makes Dharmaj exceptional among Indian villages.

Each year, Dharmaj Diwas on January 12 draws NRIs homeward. They celebrate the village they’ve built together across generations. This event strengthens the global bonds that sustain Dharmaj’s prosperity.

The village represents more than just material wealth. It’s a blueprint of ambition, unity, and visionary thinking. Dharmaj proves that global outlook and local devotion can create something extraordinary. This village thrives financially while preserving its heritage and community spirit.

Dharmaj stands as India’s wealthiest village, a testament to what determined communities can achieve. Its success story continues inspiring similar initiatives nationwide. The village demonstrates how global connections can transform local realities.

This remarkable village shows no signs of slowing its progress. The blend of NRI support and local initiative keeps Dharmaj moving forward. It remains a shining example of rural development done right.

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