Amir Iqbal

Once, in Bihar Dashrath Manjhi cut through a mountain for the love of his wife. Today, Sarfaraz Ansari has built a bridge over a river for the love of his mother. Neither had money; they had passion to face obstacles and do extraordinary deeds despite being men of small means.

Sarfaraz Ansari, who lives in a small village in Bihar's Jhajha block (Jamui district), ekks out his livelihood by repairing punctures.

His earnings are just enough for his family, as he is landless and only owns a small shop. Despite his ordinary life, he has accomplished something that people with huge incomes and assets may never think of.

A day in the monsoon season of 2019 changed his life. One day, it was pouring heavily, and the river was overflowing its banks. At that very moment, Sarfaraz's mother suddenly fell ill. Her condition was critical, and every moment was precious.

He had to cross the river in spate to take his mother to the hospital. Sarfaraz mustered courage and somehow carried his ailing mother in his arms across the dangerous river.

He braved the strong current and the darkness to beat time in saving his mother. However, by the time he reached the hospital, it was too late. His mother passed away the same night.

After his mother’s burial, Sarfaraz Ansari was constantly nagged by the thought that there is no bridge on the river. His mother’s life could have been saved if a bridge had been there.

This thought made him restless; he couldn’t sleep for several nights as he visualised his mother’s face the moment he slept.

Sarfaraz decided to build a bridge over the river.

On knowing this, people remarked, "You're a puncture repairer, how can you build a bridge? Ask the government."

Sarfaraz knew that knocking at the government doors would mean endless visits to leaders and officers and years of struggle. In the meantime, more villagers would die like his mother for want of access to medical care.

He didn't wait for the government. He started saving small amounts of money from his earnings. After months of hard work, when he had saved some money, he shared his dream with the villagers.

The villagers not only praised him but also supported him. Some donated money, some worked as labourers, and others donated construction materials.

One day, the bridge was constructed, and it happened with government assistance; a bridge was built solely through the villagers' labour and cooperation.

This 25-foot-long, 13-foot-wide, and 8-foot-high bridge, built for Rs 12 lakh, has become a source of hope for nearly 40 villages.

People of these villages had to travel several kilometres to reach the city or risk their lives by wading through the river water.

Today, with the bridge, children have easier access to school, and farmers can transport their crops to market on time. And most importantly, lives are saved as the sick can easily reach the hospital. N

Sarfaraz is happy that nobody has to go through the pain of losing his dear ones and the pain he suffered.

Sarfaraz says, "I'm not a big man, but one should have a big heart. I still feel the pain of losing my mother, but I'm relieved that no one else's mother will have to endure that pain."

He adds, "To the world, this is a bridge made of cement and iron rods, but to me, it's a dream built in my mother's memory that has come true."