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After his wife passed away, this man single-handedly carved a tunnel through a mountain.
We think we can all learn something from his incredible story.
It’s time for another #coronavirus-related history lesson from Doncaster Council.
We think we can all learn something from his incredible story.
It’s time for another #coronavirus-related history lesson from Doncaster Council.
This amazing person was called Dasrath Manjhi.
Born in India, he was a labourer from the village of Gehlaur.
Born in India, he was a labourer from the village of Gehlaur.
In 1959, Manjhi's wife Falguni Devi was injured after falling from a narrow ridge on a nearby mountain, trying to cross to the next village.
The mountain divided the two areas and meant that the nearest doctor was 55km away. She sadly died before Dasrath could get her there.
The mountain divided the two areas and meant that the nearest doctor was 55km away. She sadly died before Dasrath could get her there.
The tragic circumstances of his wife’s death made Dasrath Manjhi do something truly amazing.
He decided that he would carve a path through the mountain to the next village.
On his own.
Using the only tools he had – a hammer and a chisel.
He decided that he would carve a path through the mountain to the next village.
On his own.
Using the only tools he had – a hammer and a chisel.
Now, we don’t know if any of our followers have ever tried to tunnel through a mountain in the deserts of India single-handedly, but we can only assume that this was a fairly difficult task.
What we can also guarantee is that, when you suggest doing something like this, you’re setting yourself up for quite a bit of mocking.
The local villagers initially ridiculed Dasrath’s plan, but after a while he started to make progress
Soon, more people started offering him support – people brought him food and supplies to help his one-man mission.
Incredibly, Manjhi kept his efforts going for 22 years, and finally achieved his goal in 1982. He had done it. He had carved through the mountain.
His dedication had made life safer and easier for his fellow villagers – the distance between the two districts had shortened from a treacherous 55km to just 15km.
(The road was added by the government some years later, they didn't ask Dasrath to pave the whole thing too)
(The road was added by the government some years later, they didn't ask Dasrath to pave the whole thing too)
Happily, Dasrath Manjhi was invited to New Delhi on completion of his work and rewarded by the Chief Minister. He was a national hero.
Years later, his face was even put on a stamp!
Here it is.
Years later, his face was even put on a stamp!
Here it is.
So, now comes the moment when Doncaster Council seamlessly crowbars in some messages about #coronavirus to this heartwarming tale.
It seems to us that we can all take a few lessons from Dasrath’s story during the unsettled times we’re currently living through.
Firstly, it might look like there’s a mountain in front of us but, believe it or not, we CAN get through it.
The work we’ve been doing to stay at home, wash our hands, keep our distance or wear a face covering is the equivalent of Dasrath picking up his chisel.
The work we’ve been doing to stay at home, wash our hands, keep our distance or wear a face covering is the equivalent of Dasrath picking up his chisel.
Secondly, don't forget that people laughed at Dasrath when he started. Similarly, some people have questioned whether all of this is necessary - but keep the faith.
Eventually, everyone will see that your efforts have been worth it.
Eventually, everyone will see that your efforts have been worth it.
Finally, and most importantly, next time we construct a tunnel during an engineering project, Dasrath has shown the Council that residents are more than capable of doing it themselves.
Each household will therefore have a hammer and chisel delivered in the next 10 business days
Each household will therefore have a hammer and chisel delivered in the next 10 business days
