Entertainment

Despite success of film made on Mountain Man Dashrath Manjhi, his family members continue to live in poverty

Published

2 years ago

April 12, 2024

Staff Reporter

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By Gaurav AroraGaya (Bihar) [India], April 11 (ANI): Even though the movie made on the life of Dashrath Manjhi, renowned as the ‘Mountain Man’, garnered accolades, there is no change in the lives of his family members who still continue to grapple with poverty.

The family claims that the filmmakers of ‘Manjhi – The Mountain Man’ made huge promises but forgot them once the shooting concluded.

The Ketan Mehta directorial was released in 2015 and starred Nawazuddin Siddique in the titular role along with Radhika Apte and Tigmanshu Dhulia.

Bhagirath Manjhi, son of Dasrath Manjhi opened up on the family’s living conditions stating that they continue to struggle, overlooked by those associated with the film.

Speaking to ANI, Bhagirath Manjhi said, “Our father was very poor, he worked in the fields. He built the road by breaking the mountain. For this, he had to sell three of his goats after which he purchased a hammer. Everyone in the village used to say that he had gone mad. The road was built in 22 years.”Dashrath Manjhi, known as ‘Mountain Man’, was a resident of Gehlaur village in Gaya district, who worked as a daily wage labourer. In an unfortunate incident, he was not able to take his wife to the hospital for treatment due to which she died.

Hit by the tragedy, he vowed to build a proper road in the area. Despite having no support from the village and defying all odds, Manjhi carved a road by cutting a 360 feet-long, 30 feet wide and 25 feet high mountain using a chisel and hammer.

Bhagirath Manjhi said that the movie team only gave the family Rs 50,000 which was way too little to fulfil their needs, as a result of which they are still forced to work as wage labourers.

“The team stayed for a month and gave only Rs 50,000. If we had got money, we would have built a house, they made crores by making a film on our father but we got nothing. We used to work as labourers earlier and we do it even today. There has been no change,” he said.

He further claimed that his family was promised an election ticket from Gaya by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, but was not given.

“After building the road, my father decided to meet Nitish Kumar. He had to sit for an hour to meet him finally,” Manjhi said.

“My father never asked for anything from anyone. But, we asked for a parliamentary ticket. CM Nitish Kumar also promised us a ticket from Gaya. But after Jitan Ram Manjhi joined NDA, we did not get the ticket,” he added.

Bhagirath Manjhi said that the family did receive some help from Bihar leader Pappu Yadav, who recently merged his Jan Adhikar Party (Loktantrik) with the Congress, but even that help stopped after around a month.

Even today, Manjhi Mahotsav is organized every year in his name. A road named ‘Dashrath Manjhi Marg’ has been named after him and his village has been named Dashrath Nagar.

Dashrath Manjhi may be known as a great man for the people of Bihar and outside Bihar, but even today his family lives in a hut in Gehlaur village.

But, irrespective of how successful the acclaimed movie was, the family of ‘real-life’ Mountain Man continues to work as wage labourers to sustain a life in poverty. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Announcements

DP World ILT20 Crowns ‘Habibi & Habibti’ as mascot winners

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2 weeks ago

November 2, 2025

Staff Reporter

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The DP World International League T20 concluded its first-of-its-kind Mascot Design Competition this week. The competition was held from 4 July to 21 September.

The competition captured the imagination of students across the UAE. With an overwhelming number of entries, the activation demonstrated the extraordinary creativity, enthusiasm, and energy that cricket inspires among young minds, making it a truly nationwide celebration of sport, culture, and community.

The grand mascot unveiling was held at the Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, Indian High School, Oud Metha. The winning student, Levin Veeroy Fernandes, was officially announced, and his imaginative design (Habibi and Habibti) was transformed into the official mascot of the DP World ILT20, now set to become the face of the league for seasons to come.

The event featured an exciting reveal ceremony, with the student’s design brought to life and presented in front of a vibrant audience, celebrating not only Levin’s creativity but also the remarkable participation of schools and students across the UAE.

The DP World ILT20 extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants whose contributions made this initiative a resounding success. Each entry brought unique ideas and perspectives, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating the spirit of cricket.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “On behalf of team DP World International League T20, I want to thank all the participants for their efforts. For us, all of you are winners, we are delighted with the interest that the competition created across the UAE.

“The DP World ILT20 is all about UAE and the development of the sport amongst present and future generations of cricketers. Sport and cricket in particular has helped bring together a number of communities and nationalities across the UAE. Cricket has a four-decade long legacy in the country and with the continued growth of the league, the future of cricket not only in the UAE but across the Gulf region is bright and exciting.”

Indian High Schools Group CEO Shri Punit MK Vasu: “Our partnership with DP World ILT20 presents a remarkable platform for our learners to witness world-class cricket in Dubai while embracing the deeper lessons the sport imparts.

“At The Indian High Group of Schools, we uphold the belief that cricket’s enduring spirit fosters respect, discipline, leadership, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure, values that cultivate not only accomplished athletes, but also well-rounded, future-ready individuals prepared to lead with integrity, ethics and purpose in a global arena.”

The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

Published

1 month ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.