Can one single person have such sheer determination and strong will that he can cut through a mountain? Yes, it is possible. Humans can be astounding. So is the story of Dashrath Manjhi, the mountain man.
With his bare hands and a few simple tools, he created a road right through a mountain. It took him 22 years to finish his life project. But he got it done. Willpower has enormous power, even more so than we can imagine. But this story isn’t just a matter of “I can and I will”, it’s a story of a man who wasn’t to be stopped. By no one not even himself. Remarkable.
As with many great stories, there are a few variations to be found on the web. But all of the ones I found acknowledge the fact that Dashrath showed to the world what a single man is capable of doing all by himself.
Unfortunately, the village hasn’t prospered the way he had hoped. But the awareness that a single person can change things has inspired others to step up and fight for further change.
If you want to know more visit: https://milaap.org/campaigns/mountain-man
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Les Landes says
Thank you for this inspiring story, Titia. It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from one of America’s lesser known, but nonetheless important, presidents – Calvin Coolidge. “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common that unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
titia.maas@web.de says
Thanks, Les! Yes, indeed that is a powerful quote and Dashrath perfectly demonstrated the power of persistence and determination. 22 years is a long time. Hard to imagine what it means to do what he did.