LUCKNOW - What was once full of thorny bushes, wild grass and bamboo plants today lies transformed into a garden where children come to play. Narsingh Sadhusharan, a farmer in Uttar Pradesh, is the man who created this picturesque landscape single-handedly over 15 years.

His efforts have borne fruit over 50 acres of wilderness in Kusumha village of Kushinagar district, 300 km from Lucknow.

Lined with fruit-bearing trees and plants in riotous colours, the area is replete with small water bodies that attract birds, making for a perfect picnic spot.

“My passion to bring about change in my village prompted me to take up the job. Today I feel proud of it. For me, it’s a major achievement,” Sadhusharan, 42, told IANS over phone.

“As there was no recreational centre in the village, in 1992 I decided to do something for my village. Later, an idea struck me - to use 50 acres of unused land full of wild plants to develop such a centre,” he said.

When Sadhusharan, who lives alone, told others about his idea and sought their help, they thought he had turned insane and even laughed at him.

“No one was willing to assist me…they made fun of me and made every effort to dissuade me. I faced several obstacles in transforming my idea into reality. But I did not backtrack and the rest is for you to see,” said Sadhusharan.

“The same people who once used to laugh at me now acknowledge my efforts…They now feel sorry. But, believe me, I have no grudges against any of them.”

Today, the picnic spot has become a most sought-after destination for the villagers. It is equally popular among the residents of nearby villages and towns.

“My children love playing there and they just don’t want to go home once they go there. I go there along with my family at least twice a month,” Triloki Singh, a resident of nearby Mehdi village, told IANS.

It also serves as a meeting point for families interested in making marital alliances.

“Families discuss about marriage proposals there and girls and boys who are planning to marry can also meet to know each other,” said Awadesh Kashyap, a teacher and resident of Kusumha village.

Though the villagers did not contribute to developing the picnic spot, they now help maintain it.

“Sadhusharanji has shown us that nothing is impossible. Now he acts only as a supervisor for the maintenance work carried out by villagers,” said Gopal Singh, a member of the panchayat.

“The villagers voluntarily give funds on a monthly basis that is spent on the maintenance of the picnic spot,” he added.

(Asit Srivastava can be contacted at asit.s@ians.in)