Menial to Minister: An Adventurous Odyssey of Dr Kuber Dindor
(A
biography by Mr Ishwarbhai Prajapati,
Translated
into English by Ms Pallavi Gupta)
"What's meant to bloom will find
a way, even through the cracks of a wall.” Life's journey, often riddled with obstacles,
can be transformed into a grand highway through sheer determination. Today,
let's celebrate the extraordinary life of Dr Kuberbhai Dindor, the Education
Minister of Gujarat. Emerging from humble beginnings, he has reached the
pinnacle of success, inspiring countless others.
Even Google might struggle to pinpoint
the hamlet of Bhandara on its vast digital map. Nestled in a remote corner of
Gujarat, this village, a home to tribal communities, is a stark contrast to the
grandeur of the position its most famous son now holds. One wouldn't believe
that a son born into an extremely poor tribal family in this remote village of
Gujarat, just over five decades ago, would go on to become the Education
Minister of Gujarat. Born into abject poverty, Dr Kuberbhai Dindor's journey
from a remote tribal village to the esteemed office of the Education Minister
of Gujarat is nothing short of miraculous. This seems like a golden dream, but
today it stands before the world as a reality. His transformative leadership in
the education sector, marked by swift and significant reforms, has set a new
benchmark for educational excellence."
Born into a thatched hut in the
village of Bhandara, Santrampur Taluka, Mahisagar district, located at the
tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, Kuberbhai Dindor's life
was a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. In the humble village of
Bhandara, under a sky as vast as his dreams, he was born into a family where
survival was a daily struggle. His parents, illiterate and toil-worn, eked out
a meagre living, their days consumed by backbreaking labour. Their home was a
mere patch of earth sheltered by a roof of grass, a fragile barrier against the
relentless elements. Winters were a bitter trial, with the family huddled
together for warmth on beds of straw. Monsoons turned their home into a leaky
vessel, as they gathered rainwater in pots and pans. Recalling those days, Dr
Kuberbhai Dindor's eyes still well up with emotion. Yet, amid such hardship, a
spark of hope ignited within young Kuberbhai. His childhood, though fraught
with challenges, was a crucible that would forge the steel of his character.
Though his parents were illiterate,
they deeply valued education. Despite their own struggles with manual labour,
they ensured that their children's studies were never compromised. Kuberbhai's
formal education began at the Rai Dungri Primary School. Yet, as a child, he
often faced the challenge of affording even basic school supplies like slates
and pens. Fortunately, he met compassionate and dedicated teachers like Mr
Manharbhai Patel and Mr Somabhai Khardi. These teachers provided all the
necessary materials for their students, nurturing a love of learning.
From a young age, Kuberbhai displayed
a remarkable aptitude for studies. His insightful thoughts during school
prayers left everyone spellbound. Even as he excelled academically, he was
deeply empathetic. Witnessing his parents' arduous labour, his heart ached.
Despite his tender age, he would often join them in the fields on weekends and
holidays. His young hands, meant to hold a slate and pencil, were instead
hardened by the tools of labour. Yet, he found joy in contributing to his
family, even if it meant earning a meagre four rupees a day. For him, those
four rupees felt like a fortune.
Though
rooted in poverty, Kuberbhai's parents sowed the seeds of education in their
children's hearts and ensured their children didn't have to work full-time.
They continuously encouraged their children to focus on their studies. After
completing primary school, Kuberbhai enrolled in the Ukhreli high school, a neighbouring
village. He walked to school every day, a long and solitary journey. Books were
a luxury they couldn’t afford. Despite these challenges, his thirst for
knowledge remained unquenched. He juggled farm labour with his studies.
In 1987, when the results for the 10th
grade were announced, everyone was shocked. Kuberbhai, a brilliant student, had
failed in one subject. His scores in other subjects were excellent, but for
some reason, he had failed in just one. Failing the 10th grade seemed to dampen
his spirits. He gradually lost interest in studies and began working full-time
with his parents."
As the summer sun blazed, tribal
families from Santrampur would embark on an annual pilgrimage, seeking
sustenance in the fields of North Gujarat. Among them was Mansukh bhai, who,
with his family, would find temporary refuge in the village of Idrapura in
Mansasa taluka. Following his academic setback, failing his 10th grade exams in
1987, Kuberhai, too, joined his father, toiling in the millet fields. Their
payment was often in kind about five to seven kilograms of millet for a day's
hard labour. Once they had accumulated this amount of grain, they would return
to their village. Between 1986 and 1988, the family worked for this Patidar
family in Idrapura and formed a deep bond with them. Even after ascending to
the heights of political power, Kuberbhai has cherished this humble beginning
and the enduring friendship he forged in the fields of Idrapura.
As the bus rumbled towards Vijayapur,
for manual labour, carrying hopes and dreams, the young Kuberbhai witnessed a
betrayal of trust. The conductor, a symbol of authority, had cheated the
passengers. The conductor, after collecting the full fare, tore the ticket in
half. Kuberbhai’s parents were too simple to notice the deceit, but Kuberbhai,
being more observant, realized that the conductor had pocketed the extra money.
Seeing the half-torn ticket, he immediately demanded the remaining fare. With the
courage of youth, Kuberbhai challenged this injustice. His voice, though young,
resonated with the truth, silencing the conductor. In that moment, a seed of
defiance was planted. A young boy, armed with nothing but honesty, had dared to
question the corrupt. His act was a testament to his character, a foreshadowing
of the man he would become.
Disheartened by his failure, Kuberbhai
had turned his back on education. But his teachers, Rathod Sir and P.D. Patel,
were heartbroken, recognizing his potential, refused to let him give up. With
renewed determination, he cleared his exams and enrolled in the high school at
Santrampur, the only one in the taluka. The bus fare between Ukhreli and
Santrampur was 75 paise, a significant amount for his family. The journey to
school was long and arduous, and the bus fare was a constant burden. To meet
this expense, he worked odd jobs on holidays. Even as a teenager, he understood
the value of hard work and the importance of education. Balancing studies with labour
was a demanding task, but his spirit was unwavering.
Rather than being a victim of
circumstances, Kuberbhai chose to be a victor. A flicker of hope, a relentless
pursuit of a better life, drove him forward. His academic achievements opened
doors to new opportunities. When the results of his 11th-grade exams were
announced, he surprised everyone by topping the class. Due to his excellent
performance, he secured admission to a tribal boys' hostel for his 12th grade.
His passion for studies had truly ignited. During his stay at the hostel, he
was introduced to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) through Suresh Bhai
Bhavsar. His patriotic spirit found a home in the RSS. He actively participated
in its activities. Simultaneously, he had been associated with Ramjibhai
Garasiya of the Gayatri Mandir in Santrampur since the 8th grade. The spiritual
guidance he received from the Gayatri family further fortified his spirit,
shielding him from the vices of society.
The small ember of a desire to carve a
distinct path in life had now burst into a blazing fire consuming him with its
intensity which had been ignited in his heart.
(Continues...)
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