DASHRATH MANJHI - The Man Who Moved The Mountain

Indeed what you can accomplish is limitless when you believe in yourself. It takes Belief to move a mountain. I want to share with you one of the most inspiring stories I have ever read. Here is the story of an ordinary man with extraordinary courage; the man who moved a mountain with ordinary Hammer and Chisel.

The mountain man at work

Dashrath Manjhi popularly called "the Indian mountain man" a man born in 1934 in the remote village of Gahlour near Gaya in Bilhar India was a poor, illitrate outcasted individual. Although he must have survived through hard labour; he had a cast iron spirit. His village was isolated from essential services by a treacherous mountainous terrain. Some villagers had to circumvent the mountain and hills to access their farms, school, and medical care.

One day his pregnant wife Phalguni Devi was bringing lunch for him while he worked in the field and she needed to transverse the mountain but unfortunately she slipped off  and was badly injured.
Dashrath horridly took his wife to the hospital but she died on arrival due to the long distance.

Manjhi was deeply disturbed that he decided to carve a path through the Gahlour hills so that his village could have easier access to medical attention.  At first when he started hammering the mountain, people called him lunatic but that "steeled" his resolve and finally, he single handedly carved a path 360-feet-long (110 m), 25-feet-deep (7.6 m) and 30-feet-wide (9.1 m) to form a road through the rocks in Gahlour hill.

It took him 22 years of hard labor to complete the task. This road which has been named Dashrath Manjhi road reduced the distance between the Atri and Wazirganj sectors of the Gaya district from 55 km to 15 km. Though mocked for his efforts, he has made life easier for people of Gahlour village. Manjhi Died of gall bladder cancer on August 17, 2007; at the age of 73 years . His exemplary determination remains an inspiration to everyone who wants to make a difference.

 

Dashrath Manjhi Road

Visible Inspirations from the story

Experience gives birth to vision

Due to the bitter experiences of his wife's painful death, Manjhi caught a vision to eliminate the reason for his wife’s death: to break the mountain, create a pathway, and to ensure that no other person suffered the fate of his wife.

Impossibility is Nothing

The success of his 22 years of determination and labour proved the fact that nothing is impossible. Nothing can withstand the indomitable spirit of the man who believes in his vision and is determined never to surrender.

You can make a difference

Manjhi was often described as an outcast, poor illiterate and little laborer in Gahlour village. Yet he turned out to be a hero of his people. If a poor little illiterate laborer can create a road through the mountain with crude implements then I believe you can do more and even better. Every man has the potential to make a difference. Don't underestimate your abilities.

Commitment is the difference

The difference between Dashrath Manjhi and other people in his village is not talent, strength or ability but commitment. Good ideas or initiatives alone do not bring success. Planning is not sufficient to make you prosperous. Commitment is the only way to produce a desired result. Despite all the ridicules, Dashrath Manjhi remained dedicated to the cause, and he was able to turn adversity into opportunity.

Your destiny is in your hands

No one is responsible for your success except you. Your success is not dependent on people’s approval. Just that people did not value your dream doesn't mean you will lose the capacity to dream and accomplish it.

Perseverance

The man exhibited uncommon discipline and perseverance to be able to sustain his dream for over two decades. Perseverance will take you where talent can't take you to.

I salute the unwavering courage and indomitable spirit of Dashrath Manjhi.

Together we can inspire our world. Share this post today to inspire someone. Stay Blessed!!! 

Photo credit: Indiatimes.com