Haldwani: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a star of cricket, has given Indian fans everything they deserved. He is the only captain to have won all three ICC trophies for Team India. A captain, finisher, and wicketkeeper like Mahendra Singh Dhoni may never be found again. However, while Dhoni has countless fans, he also has a significant number of critics.
If we say that the people of Uttarakhand have numerous complaints against Dhoni, it wouldn’t be wrong. The complaint is that Dhoni never officially acknowledges Uttarakhand as his ancestral place. Today, we will talk about Dhoni’s affection for Uttarakhand. It’s essential to mention that I am both a fan of Dhoni and a resident of Uttarakhand.
Dhoni’s Nature
Those who closely observe Mahendra Singh Dhoni understand his nature. It is rare for Dhoni to praise himself. He doesn’t like to talk about the good deeds he does. This is why news about his charity work never comes out.
Institutions like orphanages run under Dhoni’s supervision remain out of the limelight because Dhoni prefers to work quietly. Dhoni believes in the principle “Do charity with one hand so that even the other hand doesn’t know about it.” Most people know that Dhoni’s ancestral village is in Almora, Uttarakhand. This fact will come in handy later, so stay tuned.
Connection with Uttarakhand
Mahendra Singh Dhoni does not like to promote himself. A recent incident is an example of this. When the BCCI appointed Dhoni as the mentor of Team India, Dhoni refused to take any fees. Interestingly, this confirmation came not from Dhoni but from the BCCI.
Although the people of Uttarakhand might be upset with Dhoni, he has not forgotten the love of this holy land. Even if he does not officially mention it, he remembers the mountain style. Recently, Dhoni opened an outlet in Ranchi named ‘Eja Farm,’ which offers organic and pure products at reasonable rates.
Dhoni’s ‘Eja Farm’ Originates from the Mountains
After retiring from cricket, Dhoni stepped into the retail business. He opened an outlet near Sujata Chowk in his hometown, Ranchi, named ‘Eja Farm.’ Organic fruits, vegetables, and milk from Dhoni’s farmhouse are sold here. Due to high quality and low prices, the outlet always has a crowd.
Notably, Dhoni’s farmhouse is in the Sambo area, where fruits and vegetables are cultivated on 40 acres of land. The products from here go to the Eija Farm outlet. The name is significant. If you are from Uttarakhand, you know that ‘Eija’ means mother in the mountains. By naming the outlet ‘Eja,’ Dhoni has shown his love for the holy land, even if he never publicly acknowledges it.
Low Prices, High Quality
Dhoni’s outlet in Ranchi offers organic vegetables like peas, capsicum, potatoes, beans, papaya, and broccoli. It also sells cow’s milk, desi ghee, and strawberries. The prices of these items are significantly lower than the market rates, which is a specialty of Dhoni’s Eja Farm.
Dhoni has also started raising Kadaknath chickens on his farmhouse. Recently, he brought Kadaknath chicks from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, a large cowshed has been constructed in Ranchi, housing over 300 native cows, including Sahiwal and Friesian breeds. The milk from these cows has been sold in Ranchi’s markets for several months. Overall, Dhoni’s aim is to provide pure and organic products to people.
Connections to Almora
According to reports, Dhoni’s father, Pan Singh Dhoni, migrated from their village Lwali in Jainti Tehsil 40 years ago for employment in Ranchi, where he eventually settled. Although Dhoni’s father visits the village for religious events, Dhoni’s family last visited their ancestral village in 2004.
Local people say that before the formation of Uttarakhand state, Dhoni’s sacred thread ceremony was performed in the same village. Though Dhoni does not visit his ancestral village or publicly acknowledge Uttarakhand on big stages, his love for the mountains is reflected in his significant projects.
