Dashrath Manjhi : The Mountain Man

The Person and nobody living in the small village of ‘Gehlaur’ in Bihar “Dashrath Manjhi”, who broke the huge mountain in the love of his wife.

Early life, Accident and Road Building

Dashrath Manjhi was born in 1934 in Gehlaur village, Gaya district in Bihar state. He belonged to a poor family, When he was young. He ran away from his home and worked at ‘Dhanbad’ district in the coal mine.

Later he returned to the village of ‘Gehlaur’ to become agriculture labourer and married ‘Falguni Devi’ (wife).

Few years later after marriage, Manjhi’s wife ‘Falguni Devi’ was badly injured and died because she fell from the mountain, the nearest town with a doctor was 55 km away. Some reports say, she was injured while walking along a narrow path ridge to bring water or lunch. Dashrath Manjhi who had to work away from the village also linked the path across the ridge to the delayed care but not to Falguni Devi injured.

After that bad incident, Dashrath Manjhi decided to cut a roadway across the ridge due to… he loves his wife a lot … .And make his village more accessible. Dashrath Manjhi felt the need to do something for society and decided to carve a path through the ridge so that this village could have easier access to medical care.

“Until I break it….till then I won’t to leave it”

He curved a path 110m long, 9.1m wide and 7.7m deep using only a hammer and chisel.

In Manjhi’s speech when someone asked about the people’s reaction, he said when I started hammering the hill, people called me lunatic but they steeled my resolve.

He completed the work in 22 years from 1960 to 1982. This path reduced the distance between Atri and wazirganj sector from 55 km to 15km, Manjhi work has made it easier for people of the Gehlaur village.

Later Manjhi said, “Though most villagers taunted me at first, there were quite a few who lent me support later by giving me food and helping me buy my tools.”

Death and Popular Culture

On 17 August 2007, He died because he suffered from Gallbladder cancer in All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi Hospital.

He was given a state funeral by the Govt. of Bihar for his work, “Manjhi became popularly known as the Mountain Man”.

A stamp featuring Dashrath Manjhi was released by India Post in the “Personalities of Bihar” series on 26 December 2016.

In August 2015, a Hindi movie Manjhi – The Mountain Man was released and well received. The movie was directed by Ketan Mehta. Nawazuddin Siddiqui played the role of Manjhi along with Radhika Apte as Falguni Devi.

Impact on Popular Culture

Dashrath Manjhi, also known as the “Mountain Man”, has become a great icon in Indian culture due to his spectacular existence. Their story of determination, resilience and love has inspired many genres of media and continues to resonate with humans across the country.

Bollywood movie:

“Manjhi: The Mountain Man” (2015). Ketan Mehta directed this biographical picture, which stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Dashrath Manjhi. The film dramatises Manjhi’s life, focussing on his 22-year quest to create a way through a mountain using only a hammer and chisel. The video focused on his personal challenges, love for his wife Falguni Devi, and goal to make life easier in his town.

Documentaries and television shows:

Several documentaries and television specials have been produced to chronicle Manjhi’s life. These frequently highlight his astounding feat of digging a 

110-metre-long path through the Gehlour hills of Bihar, cutting the distance between the Atri and Wazirganj blocks from 55 km to 15 km.

Manjhi’s story has also been featured on news channels and in programs like “Satyamev Jayate,” where his life and work were discussed to inspire the audience.

Literature: 

Manjhi’s tale has been the focus of numerous Hindi and English novels and articles. His tenacity, the socioeconomic circumstances of his hamlet, and the effects of his actions on the neighbourhood are all frequently explored in these literary works.

The narrative of Dashrath Manjhi has been incorporated into the mythology of his native state of Bihar. Oral traditions, songs, and local folklore pass down his story, which is widely regarded as a sign of tenacity.

Public Recognition and Honors: 

Manji`s existence has been celebrated in lots of ways, which includes statues and public activities in his honour. The government  identified his efforts, and he became posthumously hailed as a hero who overcame incredible limitations to result in extrade.

Social Media and Memes:

In recent years, Manji’s tale has won traction on social media platforms. Memes, motivational posts, and films celebrating his indomitable spirit had been extensively shared, making him a present day image of perseverance and dedication.

Cultural Events:

Festivals and cultural activities, particularly in Bihar, regularly consist of references to Manjhi. His tale is advised to encourage attendees, and  performances and performances are every now and then staged to paint his existence.  Dashrath Manjhi’s legacy in famous subculture is that of an everyday guy whose super efforts  made him a long-lasting image of willpower and the strength of personal motion to extrade the world.

FAQ on Dashrath Manjhi: The Mountain Man

1.Who was Dashrath Manjhi?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi, also known as the “Mountain Man,” was a poor laborer from Gehlaur village in Bihar, India. He gained national and international recognition for single-handedly carving a path through a mountain using just a hammer and chisel, reducing the distance between his village and the nearest town from 55 kilometers to 15 kilometers. He undertook this herculean task in memory of his wife, Falguni Devi, who died due to a lack of timely medical care.

2. What inspired Dashrath Manjhi to break through the mountain?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi was inspired by the tragic death of his wife, Falguni Devi. She was injured while traversing a dangerous mountain path and could not receive timely medical attention because the nearest hospital was too far away. Her death motivated Manjhi to carve a roadway through the mountain to prevent others from suffering a similar fate and to make his village more accessible.

3. How long did it take Dashrath Manjhi to carve the path through the mountain?
Answer:
It took Dashrath Manjhi 22 years to complete the path through the mountain. He started the work in 1960 and completed it in 1982.

4. What were the dimensions of the path Dashrath Manjhi created?
Answer:
The path carved by Dashrath Manjhi is approximately 110 meters long, 9.1 meters wide, and 7.7 meters deep.

5. How did the villagers react to Dashrath Manjhi’s efforts?
Answer:
Initially, many villagers ridiculed Dashrath Manjhi, calling him a lunatic for attempting such an impossible task. However, as he continued his work, some villagers began to support him by providing food and helping him acquire tools.

6. What recognition did Dashrath Manjhi receive for his efforts?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi became a national hero and was posthumously awarded a state funeral by the Government of Bihar. In 2016, a postage stamp featuring him was released by India Post in the “Personalities of Bihar” series. He was also the subject of the 2015 Hindi biographical film Manjhi – The Mountain Man, which further popularized his story.

7. What is the significance of the movie “Manjhi: The Mountain Man”?
Answer:
The movie Manjhi: The Mountain Man, released in 2015, is a biographical drama that portrays Dashrath Manjhi’s life and his monumental effort to carve a path through the mountain. Directed by Ketan Mehta and starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Manjhi, the film highlights his personal struggles, his deep love for his wife, and his determination to make life easier for his village.

8. How has Dashrath Manjhi’s story impacted popular culture?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi’s story has had a significant impact on popular culture. His life has been depicted in films, documentaries, television shows, literature, and art. He is celebrated as a symbol of perseverance and resilience, and his story is often shared on social media as a source of inspiration. His legacy continues to inspire people to overcome obstacles and make a difference in their communities.

9. When did Dashrath Manjhi pass away?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi passed away on 17 August 2007, after battling gallbladder cancer. He was treated at the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

10. What is the legacy of Dashrath Manjhi?
Answer:
Dashrath Manjhi’s legacy is one of extraordinary determination, love, and social impact. He is remembered as the “Mountain Man” who transformed his community through sheer willpower. His story continues to inspire people to believe that with enough determination, even the most insurmountable obstacles can be overcome. His life is a testament to the power of one individual to bring about significant change.