Update: Good work never goes wasted. Upon learning about Laungi Bhuiyan and what he has done, Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, has gifted him a tractor on 19 Septemeber, 2020.
Remember Dashrath Manjhi – the Mountain Man? When his wife died due to injury caused by falling from a mountain, he decided to carve a path measuring 110 m long, 9.1 m wide, and 7.7 m deep through a ridge of hills using only a hammer and chisel. After 22 uncompromising years, his work was successful as he shortened travel between the Atri and Wazirganj blocks of Gaya town from 55 km to 15 km saving thousands of lives in nearby villages.
A similar story has emerged from the same area in Kothilawa where a man has reportedly carved out a three-kilometer long canal to take rainwater coming down from nearby hills to fields of his village.
Named Laungi Bhuiyan, the exemplary villager of Lathua area took 30 long years to build the canal single-handedly. This canal carries the water from the river to the village pond acting as a water source along its path. When most of the inhabitants moved to urban areas for work, Laungi stayed back and made it a better place.
The village named Kothilawa to which Laungi belongs is surrounded by dense forest and mountains and is situated about 80 km away from Gaya district headquarters. It is also marked as the hub of Maoists.
Bihar: A man has carved out a 3-km-long canal to take rainwater coming down from nearby hills to fields of his village, Kothilawa in Lahthua area of Gaya. Laungi Bhuiyan says, “It took me 30 years to dig this canal which takes the water to a pond in the village.” (12.09.2020) pic.twitter.com/gFKffXOd8Y
— ANI (@ANI) September 12, 2020
People in the area mainly depend on farming and animal husbandry for their livelihood. As it is a hilly region, there are temporary streams, and lots of water is also washed away from the mountains to the river. Bhuiyan was concerned about this. He used to think how this water could be utilized in his own village than be wasted away which is how he thought of digging the canal.
Speaking about Bhuiyan’s work, Patti Manjhi, a local said, “The canal will benefit a large number of animals and to irrigate the fields as well. He is not doing it for his own benefit but for the entire area.”
Likewise, Ram Vilas Singh, a teacher who resides in Gaya praised Bhuiyan for benefiting the villagers and their fields.
“A lot of people will benefit here. People are now getting to know him because of his work,” said Singh lauding Bhuiyan.
People are in awe of his work and dedication.
Where there’s a will ,there’s a way , Hats off to his determination and persistence 👏👏👏👏👏
— Nila Madhab PANDA ନୀଳମାଧବ ପଣ୍ଡା (@nilamadhabpanda) September 13, 2020
This man was doing it all alone for 30 years and no govt or a neta or babu thought it was necessary to do it as part of govt development work ? So it means Bihar hasn’t progressed even an inch for last 30 years ? What a shame 🤦🏽♂️
— Dr.P.S.VishnuVardhan (@drpsvvardhan) September 13, 2020
Stating the obvious 🙂
But this information is about how an individual is able to change things with courage and determination! There is a lot of learning.— Dr Logical Loofa (@Logicaloofa) September 13, 2020
India desperately need such people who doesn’t wait for government and other people to do the things for them. We need such an entrepreneurship in every person of our country. Hatts of to you this guy. May be I could be like him someday. 🙏
— Dinesh Saggu (@dinu1025) September 13, 2020
the government should calculate the cost based on its efficiency and how much it would have cost them to build the same and PAY THAT AMOUNT TO HIM. The Best they can do,
— Shinda (@_Nirbhau_) September 13, 2020
A man believing in himself, never gave up. Sweating out for 30 years to dig canal, he might have been taken as a mad, insane person. None came to join in fulfilling his dream. @NitishKumar ji pl recognise & compensate him under MNREGA
Convert it into proper canal.@narendramodi— 🇮🇳 BN Sharma, IG (Retd) (@BholaNath_BSF) September 13, 2020
Don’t tell the administration. They will arrest the man for illegal construction and close the canal. They will promise water to village in the next election manifesto
— subaganesh🇮🇳 (@subaganesh) September 13, 2020
A Twitter user tweeted that Laungi Bhuiyan still doesn’t want anything, except a tractor. “Anand Mahindra I reckon Mahindra would feel proud to honor this man,” the user added tagging the Mahindra Group chairman. In response to the tweet, Anand Mahindra replied, saying that it would be his honor to provide Laungi Bhuiyan with a tractor.
उनको ट्रैक्टर देना मेरा सौभाग्य होगा। As you know, I had tweeted that I think his canal is as impressive a monument as the Taj or the Pyramids. We at @MahindraRise would consider it an honour to have him use our tractor. How can our team reach him @rohinverma2410 ? https://t.co/tnGC5c4j8b
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 19, 2020
Kudos to your spirit, Laungi Bhuiyan!!!