Villagers in Marora, Haryana, Push to Rename Maroda as 'Trump Village' Amid Hopes of Development

KalimNews & Agencies, November 10, 2024, Marora (Haryana)  :  With the return of Donald Trump to the White House, the village of Marora in Haryana is once again filled with optimism and renewed hope for development. The village, located in the Mewat district, has announced plans to formally approach both the state and central governments to request that it be officially renamed "Trump Sulabh Village" in honor of the American President’s historic re-election victory.

The idea for renaming the village emerged in 2017 when it was adopted by the Sulabh International Social Service Organization, a renowned NGO focused on promoting sanitation and hygiene. At the time, the village was unofficially dubbed “Trump Sulabh Village” as a tribute to the growing friendship between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump. The name was also intended to highlight India's push for global recognition of its sanitation efforts, particularly the 'Swachh Bharat' (Clean India) mission.

During the initial phase, the village saw the installation of signage boards and banners featuring Trump’s photograph, which caught the attention of the media and the nation. However, the enthusiasm was short-lived, as local authorities removed the signs, citing the lack of official permission from both the Haryana state government and the central government to rename the village.

Despite this setback, the idea continues to resonate with the villagers, many of whom believe that the association with Trump could lead to increased attention and development for their community. According to villagers, the name had already given the area a new identity, attracting visitors and boosting hopes for infrastructure improvements.

Marora, which includes three villages under its Gram Panchayat—Marora, Nizampur, and Chhawa—was the site of a significant event in 2017 when Sulabh International unveiled the world’s largest toilet pot model on World Toilet Day to promote sanitation awareness. This symbolic gesture was part of a broader initiative to eliminate open defecation in the region, a cause championed by Sulabh’s founder, Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.

At that time, Dr. Pathak announced that the village would be named after President Trump to foster a positive relationship between India and the U.S. and to raise awareness about India’s cleanliness campaign. The village’s sanitation efforts, including the construction of toilets and sanitation facilities, were expected to draw international attention and provide a model for other rural communities.

"We are not changing the name, just giving it a nickname," Dr. Pathak had said in 2017. "This will attract government and private entities to the village and bring in much-needed development."

Now, with Trump’s re-election, the villagers are more determined than ever to have the name change formally approved. “We are very happy that Donald Trump has become President. We will pass the necessary resolution in the Gram Sabha and ensure the village is officially named after him,” said a local representative, Rajuddin Jung.

The enthusiasm surrounding the potential renaming stems not just from a sense of honor but from the hope that it could trigger much-needed development in the region. Villagers report that the removal of the Trump signage by authorities led to a halt in several development projects, which they believe were linked to the village’s association with the U.S. president.

Gram Panchayat Sarpanch Madina Begum’s representative, Abbas, also expressed his support for the renaming, stating that it had already given the village "a new identity and hope for a brighter future." The villagers are now preparing to pass an official resolution to formally request the name change in the upcoming Gram Sabha meeting.

The name change, and the associated hope for development, is closely tied to Sulabh’s ongoing work in the region. Founded by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Sulabh is dedicated to eradicating manual scavenging and promoting access to sanitation, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Pathak’s work has been instrumental in improving hygiene standards and building toilets in Mewat and other underdeveloped regions.

Through his efforts, villages like Marora are being transformed into models of sanitation and cleanliness, in line with the Indian government’s 'Swachh Bharat' initiative. As the organization continues its work, the villagers of Marora remain hopeful that renaming the village could serve as a catalyst for further progress and global attention.

“We believe this could bring in the help we need for better sanitation, more toilets, and increased development in our village,” said one resident. “This is our chance to show the world what Marora can become.”

With Trump’s return to power, the villagers of Marora are optimistic that the name “Trump Sulabh Village” will finally gain official recognition, unlocking the potential for much-needed growth and progress in this rural corner of Haryana.