Kaka Singh’s 19-year-old-Kulbir is preparing for his IIM entrance examinations. Six months ago, Kaka Singh had told him that he could only afford to send him to a local college that offers a diploma course in management. But Kaka Singh and Kulbir have now set their sights high—“nothing less than an IIM will do for my son,” says Kaka Singh.

Eighty two-year-old Gurdial Singh is all set to become the richest farmer in the village — the government will buy his 16 acres for Rs 24 crore. The old man, who heads a family of 15 members, has already made some smart planning—he has decided to invest in a piece of land near Patiala. “I have decided to buy a big chunk of fertile land near Patiala for Rs 15 to 18 lakh an acre. If I buy 100 acres, we can save Rs four and a half crore. With the rest of the money, I can buy a tractor and a family car. The rest of the money can be deposited in the bank,” he calculates with the astuteness of a businessman.

Sarpanch Prem Singh says that these days, the village chaupal buzzes with plans. He recalls how one of the more enterprising villagers plans to open a ‘village club’ that will have an air conditioned mini cafetaria. “But he wants to serve chilled lassi and dal-roti, not coffee or pizza,” Prem Singh laughs.