Chandi Dan Detha

Chandi Dan Detha (died 28 July 2024) was an Indian agriculturalist and Padma Shri recipient who is known for pioneering work in the field of agriculture and transforming the desert village of Borunda. Chandi Dan was elected the first Sarpanch of the village panchayat in 1955 and served four terms till he retired. He is also known for founding the premier Rajasthani folklore institute, Rupayan Sansthan. He was also a member of the Research Advisory Committee (GOI).

Agricultural revolution in Borunda Chandidan had heard many traditional proverbs indicating that the well whose water is free from algae and smell or stink is supposed to be an artesian well (patalphod kua), with unlimited store of water. Later on, he was inspired by news of a group of scientists discovering water 100 ft. below the sandy level, which gave him an idea to explore old wells in his village in search of such artesian well with an unlimited store of water.

Reaching the water (1948–50) Chandidan tested the water of his inherited well and found it suitable, so he decided to install a diesel pump set at a depth of 110 ft.

Chandidan had an idea to install a diesel engine in a chamber constructed at the depth of 100 feet in the wall of the well.

Priests warned against drinking the water from the well, but Chandidan was able to pump it out and irrigate the land, proving the sceptics wrong as the barren desert became incredibly fertile with luxuriant vegetation.

In carrying water from the well to distant fields, Chandidan showed great enterprise through the construction of a 3000 feet long 6" pipe line and various channels, as well as reclaiming a low lying area known as 'Sar' by digging out an existing canal, which has released a vast area for dry cultivation of wheat and gram. Soon afterwards, a 6,000 foot long pipeline was laid and taps were installed in the streets and houses in order to solve their drinking water problem.

Earlier the village of Borunda was very poor and had a lot of problems. Every year, famine would come and the farmers and cattle moved from Malwa to Bombay and even upto Delhi in search of food and fodder. People also got sick with smallpox and other diseases, and those who could afford it would go to Jodhpur, which was sixty miles away, for medical treatment. Only one crop was grown each year, making the situation even worse. It provided unrestricted access to water, and in the span of 20 years, the villagers' incomes had grown from 50,000 rupees to 11 million rupees. Chandidan had also planned and built a bus station, a hotel, a shopping centre, and a hospital in the further expansion of Borunda. The institute has been working for the preservation of Rajasthani language, culture, art, music and literature. Habib Tanvir and Shyam Benegal's Charandas Chor (1975), etc.

Quote At being asked for his secret behind his success in Borunda, Chandidan replied, It is nothing but the cooperation of our youth and a strong will power. More often than not, the old generation with its superstitious ideas discouraged me and ridiculed my efforts. I don't blame these poor old heads – it was the outcome of the age-old ignorance. But I am glad that I have been able to convince them that the present generation is capable of making up all the lapses of the past generation. We are going to leave a far better country than that we had obtained from our forefathers.