Mirzapur - Article - Vibrant Mirzapur

Vibrant Mirzapur

Mirzapur is a small village near Bhuj, established some 150 years ago when Rao Khengarji ruled Kutchh, and Mirza Mia was the prime Minister. It is understood that Mirzapur is named after Mirza Mia as he helped the first settlers. The original built up village is not very large yet it is the largest County Council in the district of Bhuj. Area wise it is larger than Madhapur, with its boundaries starting from the railway line on the east side of Sukhpur to the west side of Mundra Highway, Changlai, Jadavji Nagar and Shiv Krupa Nagar up to the west of Bhuj and Odawa Talav, to the north to fatal Talav and New Talav to the south. Mirzapur, once being Leva Patel Community dominated is now thriving as a multi faith, multi cultural and multi lingual society. It is the fastest growing developing village in the district of Bhuj.

This vibrant village benefits from fresh, clean spring water which is available on tap brought from a far distance, and is surrounded by rainwater reservoirs and National highways. All houses are connected to a sewer system, eliminating foul smells and water pouring out from houses onto the streets. Being next to Bhuj the main town of Kutchh, the village also benefits from much more like better employment opportunities, a Modern domestic airport with daily services, best of the mobile telephone reception and all the shopping facilities a click away. Many Mirzapur origins have immigrated to other parts of the world yet most have relatives and a house or ancestral home for stay during holiday.

Mirzapur won a Government of Gujarat cleanest village award back in mid fifties and again in the year 2005. The village roads are reasonably wide and straight and most roads now are made of concrete making it easier to keep them clean. Hindu crematorium and cemetery is kept green all year round. Bhanarai Avenue from west and New Mirzapur High Road from north leading to the village centre have trees planted on both sides with drip water system watering the trees everyday. As soon as we enter the village from S.T. bus stop, we are greeted by Lord Hanumanji Temple on the left. There are two Hanumanji Temples at the original village entrance (Jampo) and Amba Maa temple a 100 yards on the right. Vast modern Swaminarayan temples and Leva Patel Samaj Complex are situated in the village centre surrounded by the shopping parade. Yax Temple and new Amba Ma Temples are situated to the west of the village now surrounded by new developed houses in the vicinity.

Although much of the farming has disappeared due to lack of rain, Mirzapur being the fastest developing village with easy access to all amenities attracts many people of all cast and creed and investors from far and wide are buying agricultural and residential land around the village, and are coming to live here as it is out of the town as such but still has access to shopping centres, hospitals, railway etc.

After the devastating earthquake of 2001, Bhuj city is taking a new shape, making town roads wider and straight, also new major roads are being constructed. New houses are being built in the surrounding areas with two and four lane highways and dual carriage ways connecting national highways. Mirzapur was one of the worst hit by the earthquake, but within five years all badly damaged houses have been rebuilt and the less damaged have been repaired. New construction in surrounding areas provide employment thus attracting craftsmen and women from Rajasthan and surrounding states requiring more and more residential accommodation.

We dearly love our homeland Mirzapur. Although living away from home, we have and will always maintain a close contact and will visit whenever possible. A visit to Mirzapur will be well worth your holiday.

Velji Manji Hirani, Mirzapur (July 2006)