Dashrath Manjhi, Mountain man from Bihar

Some time inspirational stories comes from a small place, which is unknown or less-known to the world even to the neighbors. During my Bodhgaya trip, when I was crossing Gehlore Ghati, I saw a wide crack in the hills. I was Searching my mind that somewhere I have seen something like this or read about this. Yes, I had seen such path in trailer of a movie and some documentary as well on Dashrath Manjhi, a man from Bihar.

Dashrath Manjhi, Mountain man from Bihar

This crack in the hill was not occur its own, a man Dashrath Manjhi gave 22 year of his life to achieve this. Isn’t it amazing! a simple man spent his life in digging the mountain? He gave 2 year extra than the construction time of Taj Mahal (Agra).

Most of us remain unaware of this fact, if Ketan Mehta would not have made a movie ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’ on this topic. Yes! it’s a hard reality of this time, we do not recognize contribution of someone until there is a movie/documentary to appreciate it. So, I decided to visit this place on my return journey from Bodhgaya.

Peoples of this area used to cross this hill to fetch grass or wood from other side of hill. That time people had to face lots of accident due to slip from hill. Once Dashrath Manjhi’s wife Falguni Devi fell down and got injured, then Manjhi decided to make a path through hill.

Every one should visit this place, its not less than any monument or any pilgrim. At first site, it look like a usual path made through hill. But when you imagine, an old man worked hard with normal tools ( hammer & chisels) continuously for 22 year, and without any compensation for his work.

This simple path which was looking normal, suddenly get transform into an unimaginable task. It is like crossing a hot desert bare feet or swimming an ocean.

Path created by Dashrath Manjhi

It was a patch of more than 100 meter long and approx 10 meter wide and deep, which he carved out without personal motive. While Manjhi started digging in stone, everyone called it an act of madness.

But only because of his madness, he ignored what people say or not. May be he knew that some day people will come here to see this Godly work and bow their head to this monument. It is a message to the people in simple manner that even a single man can make a big change to world.

When you go to any important monument, you have to hire guide to know more about that. But, here locals tell you everything, even they do not wait you to asking.

Every people of this village try to associate himself with this crazy man, and tells you many stories about Dashrath Manjhi. Every one describe him as his own family member and you can see the feeling of proud on their face and tone.

Interesting facts about Dashrath Manjhi

1) Dashrath Manjhi was belong to Musahar cast, considered lowest in Cast structure. On his initial days he worked in coal mines of Dhanbad for livelihood.

2) In 1975, Indira Gandhi was in Bihar for addressing a rally, Manjhi was also there in the crowd. Suddenly the stage got broke from when she was giving her speech, then Manjhi come forward and hold the load on his shoulders.

When the rally got over, luckily he got a garland from Indira Gandhi and got a picture clicked with her.

3) Once, Dashrath Manjhi walked on foot up to Delhi to meet Mrs. Gandhi.

4) He took his last breath in 2007 at AIIMS Delhi, where he was admitted for treatment of Gallbladder cancer.

5) Bihar Government also recognized his work and proposed his name for the Padma Shri award In 2006.

6) A state funeral organised after Manjhi’s death in 2007, that was attended by many politician. A memorial in the village have been made on his name and the crack also named after him.

7) Kumud Ranjan made a documentary ‘The Man Who Moved the Mountain’ on Manjhi’s life in 2011.

8) In 2015 Ketan Mehta made a Hindi movie staring Nawazuddin Siddqui as Dashrath Manjhi, and regard him as Poor man’s Shah Jahan.

 

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