Aamir visits Mountain Man's village, meets his family

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan Tuesday visited Gahlaur village and met family members of Dasrath Manjhi, who single-handedly carved out a road by cutting through a hill in Bihar, for his TV show "Satyamev Jayate 2".

Amid tight security, Aamir spent nearly half an hour here and interacted with Bhagirath Manjhi and Basanti Devi, the son and daughter-in-law of Dasrath Manjhi and other members of his family.

"I am really happy to be here to touch the soil of this land, where a man has created a rare example of making difference with his dedication and commitment of years for selfless cause," Aamir told media persons here.

The actor-producer said that he has fulfilled his wish to visit the place associated with Dasrath Manjhi.

Both Bhagirath and Basanti, who are disabled and live in penury at Dasrathnagar Dalit tola near Gahlaur in Gaya district, about 100 km from state capital Patna, told Aamir in Magahi, a local dialect, that they are living in abject poverty and sought his help to improve their condition.

"We have told the visiting hero (Aamir) that he should tell the world the real story of our lives that may help us to get the long awaited attention of the government," Bhagirath, who was upbeat after meeting Aamir, said.

Basanti Devi said she explained the real story of their lives, full of misery, to Aamir.

But she was disappointed that Aamir did not eat special traditional food prepared by her for him.

"Sahebs (Officials) did not allow him to take food prepared by me," she said.

Dasrath Manjhi, popularly known as "Mountain Man", using nothing more than a hammer and a chisel and working day and night, single-handedly cut a 360 feet long, 30 feet high and 30 feet wide passage through a hill near Gahlaur. He died in 2007, battling with cancer.

The hill stands between Attari and Wazirgunj blocks in Gaya district. Thanks to Manjhi, the village blocks have been brought closer and Gahlaur has got an access to a road beyond the hill. Manjhi began his uphill work when his wife was injured and he had to go around the hills to reach the nearest hospital on the other side.

Bhagirath and Basanti work in the village primary school as cooks, preparing the mid-day meal for children. Both of them are paid Rs.1,000 a month. Both of them were given a day's leave by school authorities Tuesday to meet Aamir.

Aamir reportedly said he will visit Dasrathnagar to dedicate the first episode of "Satyamev Jayate 2" to Dasrath Manjhi, the man who made the impossible possible with his hard work and dedication.

The episode is set for telecast March 2.