Dashrath Manjhi
Dashrath Manjhi, also known as the "Mountain Man," was an Indian laborer from the Gehlaur village in Bihar, India. Born on September 19, 1934, he is known for single-handedly carving a path through a mountain using only a hammer and chisel. Manjhi's village was located in a remote area, and the nearest medical facilities were on the other side of a massive rocky hill. One day working somewhere around the mountain and his wife tried to bring him some food and she fell down the ridge and was badly injured. After his wife Falguni Devi died due to lack of timely medical attention, Manjhi decided to take matters into his own hands.
Starting in 1960, he began chiseling away at the mountain, working tirelessly day and night for 22 years. He carved a 360-foot-long (110 meters) and 30-foot-wide (9 meters) road through the mountain, shortening the distance to the nearest town from 75 kilometers to just one kilometer. Manjhi's incredible feat not only made transportation easier for the villagers but also inspired others with his determination and perseverance. He passed away on August 17, 2007, but his story continues to be an inspiration for many. In recognition of his extraordinary achievement, a biographical film titled "Manjhi: The Mountain Man" was released in 2015, starring actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui as Dashrath Manjhi.
