Dashrath Manjhi carved a road through the mountain (300-foot tall) – so that his people could reach a doctor in time. Bihar Government nominated him for the ‘Padma-Shree Award’, but the forest ministry officials fought the nomination, calling his work illegal. ‘I do not care for these awards, this fame, the money,’ he said. ’All I want is a road, a school, and a hospital for our people.’

The incident that inspired him paving the road was the death of his wife who fell down from the hill while carrying meals for Dashrath. In India, he is known as the Mountain Man. A film rocked recently in the theatres, based on his life.

Wiseland: Dont feel bad if people remember you only when they need you. Feel privileged that you are like a candle that comes to their mind when there is darkness.