Part : 4
Menial to Minister: An Adventurous Odessey of Dr Kuber Dindor
(A biography by Shri Ishwar Prajapati
Into English by Pallavi Gupta)
“As I drive down the very same roads, now paved, where I once filled potholes with earth as a teenager during a drought, a whirlwind of memories from the past fills my heart. This feeling is beyond words.”: Dr Kuber Dindo
Kuberbhai's innovative approach to his work caught the attention of the senior leadership. The leadership had been actively seeking a robust leader for the tribal and backward areas. Consequently, in 2006, he was entrusted with the responsibility of the Santarampur Mandal president. Having fulfilled this role with distinction, he was elevated to the district-level position in 2009. Kuberbhai tirelessly devoted himself to public welfare, working round the clock.
While the Jallianwala Bagh massacre is a well-documented tragedy of the Indian Independence Movement, many other such incidents have been relegated to the annals of history. Mangad, situated near Santrampur, is one such forgotten martyr's memorial.
During the freedom struggle, a massacre akin to Jallianwala Bagh occurred at Mangad. However, this historical event remained largely obscure. The history of Mangad held many untold stories. Kuberbhai, deeply moved by the spiritual awakening instigated by Govind Guruji, envisioned bringing the history of Mangad to the forefront and developing the site.
In 2012, he met with Modiji to discuss the historical significance of Mangad. He recounted the sacrifices made by hundreds of tribal people and the spiritual revival initiated by Govind Guru. Impressed by the lesser-known and fascinating aspects of Mangad, Modiji assured Kuberbhai of his support in developing the site. As a result, the Mangad Martyrs' Memorial was developed. Today, people from far and wide visit this sacred site to pay their respects. The massacre took place on November 17, 1913. To commemorate this events Kuberbhai initiated a yearly pilgrimage to Mangad on the same date to raise awareness.
Kuberbhai, in a meeting with the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, presented a compelling case for the development of tribal areas. After decades, this region seemed to have finally taken flight towards progress. Kuberbhai's approach was characterized by a strict adherence to three principles: the presentation must be accurate, it must benefit the marginalized, and it must be delivered in a simple, straightforward manner. Modiji was so impressed by his qualities that he appointed him as the General Secretary of the Gujarat Tribal Morcha in 2013. Subsequently, for his satisfactory performance, he was appointed Chairman of the Forest Development Corporation in 2015, entrusting him with even greater responsibilities.
The top leadership's confidence in Kuberbhai was justified by his transparent management. Upon assuming the position of Chairman of the Forest Development Corporation, he successfully transformed the historically loss-making organization, achieving a record profit of 80 crores. Kuberbhai possessed a profound understanding of the challenges faced by the tribal people who would rise at 4 AM to collect tendu leaves in the forest for sustenance. His own childhood experiences of accompanying his parents on similar endeavors fostered this empathy. With unwavering dedication, he led the Forest Development Corporation, resulting in a turnaround and subsequent distribution of profits as royalties to approximately 90,000 individuals.
In the run-up to the 2017 Gujarat Assembly elections, Prime Minister Modi and the top leadership were on the lookout for a strong leader from the tribal community. Surveys conducted by media houses, intelligence agencies, and trusted sources for the Santrampur constituency consistently pointed to one name: Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor. When he was announced as the party candidate, local political opponents were stunned and launched significant opposition. However, Kuberbhai, with his astute political acumen, skillfully neutralized the opposition and strategized for victory with a calm mind. His decades of selfless service culminated in a resounding victory in the 2017 Assembly elections. This win was a testament to the faith placed in him by Prime Minister Modi and the top leadership. As a first-time MLA, Kuberbhai was appointed as a Minister of State, a responsibility he discharged with utmost dedication. He even published a detailed account of the 1072 crore worth of projects undertaken by his ministry, surprising even his opponents with his transparency.
He kept the doors of his office open to the public at the Gandhinagar Secretariat, fostering a welcoming and approachable atmosphere where anyone could come and present their concerns. Despite holding a ministerial position, he maintained his connection to the people, strengthening his bond with them. Even with his busy schedule, he made it a point to attend both big and small events at the homes of his constituents, no matter how insignificant the worker. To ensure that visitors to his office faced no inconvenience, he took meticulous care. He not only won the hearts of his constituents but also gained immense popularity among the people of the entire state by being down-to-earth as a minister.
As a result of all these efforts, Kuberbhai was renominated for the 2022 Assembly elections. Voters came out spontaneously to support him, turning the election into a movement to ensure his victory. The once Congress stronghold, the tribal region, had now become a BJP bastion, a transformation attributed to decades of dedicated work by sincere workers like Kuberbhai. The outcome of the 2022 election was a foregone conclusion, with Kuberbhai winning by a landslide. With this resounding victory, his responsibilities in the government increased. This time, he was entrusted with the cabinet-level portfolio. It is often said that those who are capable are given greater responsibilities.
Traditionally, tribal leaders were often assigned ministries related to tribal affairs. However, this trend changed post-Independence. Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor was entrusted with the education portfolio, a decision that must have been made with careful consideration by Prime Minister Modi and the top leadership. For the first time in Gujarat's history, a doctorate holder was given the education portfolio. As a seasoned academic and professor, Dr. Dindor had a deep understanding of the challenges faced by teachers and students. His ability to guide officials in the right direction has led to the resolution of several long-standing issues in the education department. When visiting schools, he treats teachers with respect and avoids taking the principal's seat, thus upholding the dignity of the position. He has a knack for gently correcting mistakes made by teachers or officials. Dr. Dindor is quick to make important decisions in the best interests of children. Corrupt officials tremble at the mere sight of him. He promotes honesty and punishes corruption. As a result, he is deeply respected by the common people. As the Education Minister of Gujarat, he has taken historic decisions and set new benchmarks.
Despite holding a cabinet-level ministerial position, his parents continue to reside in their modest ancestral home. His elder brother is a school teacher, and his other siblings remain aloof from politics. Flaunting authority in government offices is completely alien to his upbringing. The Dindor family is not involved in any contracts or NGOs. The entire family is known for its simplicity and prefers a low-profile lifestyle. While achieving success might be relatively easy, it is far more challenging to handle it gracefully. Even after attaining immense success, the Dindor family has truly embraced the essence of humility. When you meet Dindor, you will hardly sense the weight of his position. He engages in candid conversations with a warm and open heart.
During the recent heavy rainfall in Gujarat, Kuberbhai worked tirelessly day and night, standing by the affected population and overseeing relief operations. He personally took up an axe to clear trees that had fallen on roads due to the storm, setting an example for others. His call-to-action inspired teachers across the state to join the relief efforts. Kuberbhai's decisive leadership and administrative skills in restoring normalcy to the disrupted lives of people affected by the calamity were widely praised.
Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor has always held onto the words of his father. When he became a minister, his father had advised him, 'Son, a wealthy person can get anything done, but there is no one to listen to the poor in this world. Therefore, do work that benefits the poor.' His father's advice has become his guiding principle in life.
Dr. Kuberbhai Dindor reminisces, 'While working on drought relief projects in 1987-88, I filled potholes with soil on these very roads. Today, as I drive my car as the education minister on these now-paved roads, a whirlwind of memories from the past fills my heart. I will never forget the days when we used to sleep on straw during the winters to keep warm. The sleepless nights spent cleaning utensils during the monsoon rains are still vivid in my mind.' Even while speaking in his ministerial chamber, one can clearly see the emotions of the past reflected in his eyes.
The Gujarat state is really very fortunate to have acquired an education minister as natural, simple, learned, and dedicated as Dr Kuber Dindor.
(Concludes)
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