Vijayapura Family Names Dream Home After MB Patil, Credits Irrigation For Changing Fortunes
The family's newly built residence in Suvarna Nagar, on Athani Road in Vijayapura city now bears the name 'Shree MB Patil Nilaya'. They say the gesture is their way of acknowledging the irrigation projects implemented during Patil's tenure as Water Resources Minister between 2013 and 2018, which they credit for changing their agricultural prospects
Vijayapura: Building a home takes months. Choosing the name it will carry for generations often takes even greater thought. For the 30-member Hiremath family in Vijayapura district, the decision was unanimous—they named their dream home after Industries, Infrastructure Development and Vijayapura district in-charge Minister MB Patil, whom they believe transformed their fortunes through irrigation.
The family's newly built residence in Suvarna Nagar, on Athani Road in Vijayapura city now bears the name 'Shree MB Patil Nilaya'. They say the gesture is their way of acknowledging the irrigation projects implemented during Patil's tenure as Water Resources Minister between 2013 and 2018, which they credit for changing their agricultural prospects.
The four brothers—Siddayya, Satayya, Basayya and Mallayya Hiremath—performed Vastu Shanti and housewarming rituals on Sunday in the presence of relatives, friends and public representatives including the family members of MB Patil.
Explaining their decision, the brothers said they wanted their gratitude to be reflected not just in words but also in the identity of their home.
"His name should not remain only in our hearts. We wanted it to become part of our home as well. This house represents our family's journey, and naming it after him is our way of acknowledging the role we believe he played in changing our lives," they said.
The family owns 40 acres of farmland in Somadevarahatti village in Tikota taluk. They recalled that farming was once entirely dependent on the monsoon, with the income barely sufficient to support the large joint family. The arrival of irrigation water, they said, enabled them to shift from dryland farming to large-scale grape cultivation and later raisin production.
Today, the family produces nearly 100 tonnes of raisins annually. According to them, their annual income has increased from around Rs 1.5 crore two years ago to between Rs 3.5 crore and Rs 4 crore.
Responding to the gesture, MB Patil said he was humbled by the family's decision. He described it as a reflection of the trust and affection of the farming community and said it strengthened his resolve to continue working for farmers.