Dashrath Manjhi is the husband of Faguniya.
Dashrath Manjhi: The "Mountain Man" and His Wife Phaguniya Devi
Dashrath Manjhi, often known as the "Mountain Man," was an Indian laborer from Gehlore village, near Gaya in Bihar, India. His life story, particularly his monumental effort to carve a path through a mountain, is deeply intertwined with his wife, Phaguniya Devi. While the question refers to "Faguniya," her name is widely recognized as Phaguniya Devi.
The Bond and the Motivation
In the 1960s, Dashrath Manjhi lived in his small village of Gehlore with his family, including his beloved wife, Phaguniya Devi. Their bond was the catalyst for his extraordinary feat. Phaguniya Devi played a pivotal role in his life, not just as his companion but as the inspiration for his legendary endeavor.
- Marital Life: Dashrath Manjhi and Phaguniya Devi shared a life in the rugged, remote terrain of Gehlore, where access to basic amenities like medical care was challenging due to a formidable mountain range.
- The Tragic Catalyst: It was the tragic loss of Phaguniya Devi, who reportedly succumbed to injuries after falling from a mountain path while bringing food for Dashrath, that spurred him to undertake the immense task of carving a road through the mountain. His wife's struggle and death motivated him to ensure no one else in his village would suffer due to the lack of proper access.
A Legacy of Love and Determination
Dashrath Manjhi spent 22 years (from 1960 to 1982) single-handedly chiseling a path 360 feet long, 25 feet deep in places, and 30 feet wide through the Gehlore hills, reducing the travel distance between Atri and Wazirganj blocks from 55 km to 15 km. His unwavering determination was a testament to his love for Phaguniya Devi and his resolve to improve the lives of his fellow villagers.
His story of love, loss, and incredible perseverance has garnered significant attention and has been adapted into various forms, including the 2015 Hindi biographical film, Manjhi: The Mountain Man, where the roles of Dashrath Manjhi and Phaguniya Devi were portrayed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte, respectively. This film brought their story to a wider audience, further cementing Phaguniya Devi's quiet but profound influence on one of India's most inspiring true stories of human spirit.
