Finally, it's D-day for the kind-hearted farmers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's village

While most Indian citizens often run from pillar to post to get their rightful from the government, farmers of Ambadve village (Ratnagiri district), the birthplace of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar the man who gave India its Constitution, were forced to do rounds for over three years as they wanted to donate 14-acre of land to the state in order to start a model village.After repeated rounds and follow-ups, Mumbai University finally acquired the land in April 2014. Construction of the model college premises begins today, after a full year's wait.A grand "bhomi-pujan" ceremony is being held at the village which would be attended by the Minister of state for higher education Ravindra Waikar, Vice Chancellor Ravindra Waikar and other senior officials of the Mumbai University. It may take another two years to complete.Six famer families, all decedents of Dr Ambedkar, have pooled their ancestral land to see this ambitious project in the Mandangad taluka under which Ambedve comes. The model college aims to offer higher education to youngsters of at least 100 nearby villages."We had read about the government's plan of a model college in a newspaper following which we hired a cab the next day and approached MU officials. However, the land could be acquired only last year," said Sudarshan Sakpal, one the donor farmers who believe their duty of serving the nation supercedes everything.Ironically, the village of Dr Ambedkar — who campaigned aggressively in favour of education — has just one school with classes up to standard X. Those who wish to pursue further studies have to travel 18km every day, says Mahendra Sakpal, another villager who now works in Mumbai.The cost of land in Ambadve village — situated nearly 200km from Mumbai and 178km from Ratnagiri district headquarters — is Rs3 lakh per acre. Lauding villagers extraordinary gesture, a university official said, "The land is fertile and the farmers have been earning their livelihood from the paddy crops and mango and cashew trees."The model college building will be set up with a Rs10 crore-grant (Rs5.5 crore from the state and the remaining from the University Grants Commission). It will offer professional courses such as BMM, BMS, BSc (IT), BSc (Hospitality), B Lib, etc. At present two courses are being taught at the model college from a make-shift campus.It was 2011 when for the first time Mumbai University announced that it aimed to establish a UGC-funded model college somewhere in Mandangadh taluka of Ratnagiri district with a specific aim to provide best education to the rural youth close to their home. Another model college was planned for Taleri village of Sindhudurg district.Donors unhappy, to meet minister and VC todayThe donors who have been dreaming about this college since years and took initiative to donate land are unhappy though. Reason: they were hoping that locals would be preferred over others in the construction work which they are reportedly being denied due to petty politics."The firm which has got the contract for the work belongs to a saffron political party. The owner has sublet some works to his own people. Since we are the decedents of Ambedkar, we support RPI of Prakash Ambedkar (Dr Ambedkar's grandson) and hence are not being giving any works which is wrong," alleged Sudarshan Sakpal.The village farmers were not capable enough to bid for the full project, so they kept hope on sub-contracts so that they can be part of this ambitious project and also earn livelihood", said another villager. Villagers also alleged that the contractor had cut down over 60 trees of hapoos mangoes and cashew nuts spread on the land though it was promised that trees would be kept safe while constructing the college.The aggrieved donors have now decided to meet the Minister of state for higher education Ravindra Waikar and Vice chancellor Rajan Welukar who are attending the "bhumi poojan" ceremony Wednesday.