Social Impact
Dashrath Manjhi
The Mountain Man of Gehlaur, who spent 22 years cutting a path through a hill with a hammer and chisel.
Dashrath Manjhi was a labourer from Gehlaur village near Gaya. His wife fell and later died of her injuries because a ridge of hills stood between the village and the nearest hospital. He set out to cut a path through it with only a hammer and a chisel.
After 22 years of work, he had carved a passage about 110 metres long, 9 metres wide and nearly 8 metres deep. It cut the distance between the Atri and Wazirganj blocks of Gaya district from about 55 kilometres to 15.
His story has been told in documentaries and films, including the 2015 Hindi film Manjhi: The Mountain Man. In 2016 India Post issued a postage stamp in his honour.
Achievements
- Carved a path about 110 metres long through a ridge, by hand, over 22 years
- Honoured with an India Post stamp, 2016
DistrictGaya
