Part - 3
Menial to Minister: An Adventurous Odyssey of Dr Kuber Dindor
(A biography by Ishwar Prajapati,
Translated into English by Pallavi Gupta)
Sodden and triumphant, Kuberbhai boarded a truck and embarked on a journey home, passing through Harsol, Dhansura, Modasa, and Malpur. He finally arrived at his ancestral home at eleven o'clock at night, amidst a torrential downpour. His heart pounding with the news of his newfound professorship. The relentless monsoon had transformed his journey into a perilous pilgrimage. As he stepped into his humble abode, still marked by the indignities of a leaky roof, he offered his parents the tangible proof of his academic achievement.
The following day, he proudly displayed his appointment letter to the entire village. Yet, few could believe that Kuberbhai had ascended to the esteemed position of a college professor. To mark this significant milestone, he borrowed money and traveled to Santrampur to purchase two new sets of clothing. With his new attire and a handkerchief neatly packed, he set off for Talod. On September 19, 1994, he commenced his duties as a professor at Talod College. Talod was entirely new territory for him. With no acquaintances in the town, he initially stayed with a relative, commuting to the college. Subsequently, he received invaluable support from the college principal, Natubhai, and the head of the Hindi department, V.P. Chauhan. Soon, he became a permanent resident of the Talod hostel. In no time, Kuberbhai had become a beloved figure among the students. His affable nature endeared him to his pupils. Ever mindful of his humble beginnings, he was always eager to assist students in need.
His academic achievement had transformed Kuberbhai into an eligible bachelor. Marriage proposals, driven more by ambition than affection, began to flood his doorstep. Yet, Kuberbhai remained steadfast in his desire to find a partner who shared his values. Guided by his mentors, he found his perfect match in Jagrutiben, a woman of intellect and grace.
The allure of his ancestral home was a siren song that Kuberbhai could not resist. Weekends found him traversing the distance between his academic life and his roots. His heart, as much as his feet, was always on the path back to his village. His selfless service to his community had transformed him into a local hero. The villagers hung on his every word, their admiration for him growing with each passing day. This unyielding popularity, however, was a bitter pill for his rivals to swallow.
The memory of the village sarpanch accepting a bribe of fifty rupees for a door-to-door survey was deeply etched in his mind. When the sarpanch elections approached in 1995, Kuberbhai saw an opportunity to teach the corrupt official a lesson. He mobilized the youth and entered the electoral fray. The outcome was nothing short of miraculous; the corrupt sarpanch was soundly defeated. Since that day, Kuberbhai has held immense sway over village politics, and any candidate he endorses inevitably wins the sarpanch election.
The Santrampur region, with its tribal majority, was a Congress fiefdom. Victory for the Congress here was almost assured, regardless of the campaign. Yet, Kuberbhai, a man of resolute nationalist convictions, dared to challenge this entrenched dominance. He orchestrated a spirited campaign for the BJP, culminating in the complete shutdown of Congress activities in his village. The party's high command took notice of his exceptional grassroots mobilization. As the campaign for both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections gained momentum, Kuberbhai emerged as the BJP's indefatigable campaigner. Against all odds, he managed to crack the Congress stronghold. The BJP's triumph in the Dahod Lok Sabha seat in 1999 was a testament to his extraordinary leadership.
While actively involved in politics, Kuberbhai continued to excel as a college professor. As an NSS program officer, he initiated numerous constructive activities in the villages surrounding Talod, leaving an enduring legacy. During an NSS camp in one such village, he led a successful campaign to make the entire community pledge to abstain from substance abuse. Even today, no shops or stalls in that village sell tobacco or gutkha. For these commendable efforts, Kuberbhai was honored as the best NSS program officer. In collaboration with the renowned Ahmedabad-based laboratory, Prathama, he organized a blood donation camp, collecting over 350 units of blood. He also played a pivotal role as the in-charge of the 'Vanche Gujarat' campaign in the Talod region, a state-wide initiative launched during Modi's tenure as Chief Minister. Kuberbhai has consistently supported underprivileged students from the Santrampur region by facilitating their higher education at Talod College. He has personally borne the educational expenses of numerous students who were on the verge of dropping out due to financial constraints. Today, many of these students are gainfully employed and attribute their success entirely to Kuberbhai.
Day by day the increasing popularity of Kuberbhai also increased the number of opponents in his constituency. As a result, when the communal riots that took place after the Godhra incident on February 27, 2002, 46 persons were booked in Santrampur area. One of them was named Kuberbhai. Political opponents made a whole plan to end Kuberbhai's political career. But on the day of Kuberbhai's presence in Talod College, the opposition presented solid evidence in the court of law.
The year 2002 witnessed the conduct of legislative assembly elections, during which Kuberbhai spearheaded a vigorous campaign endorsing the BJP candidate. His exceptional rhetorical skills enabled him to effectively communicate his message to the local constituents, who exhibited an implicit faith in his assertions. As a result of this strategic maneuver, the BJP candidate achieved a landslide victory in the Santrampur constituency. This electoral triumph firmly established Kuberbhai's reputation as a consummate strategist.
This region, predominantly inhabited by indigenous tribes, was in dire need of visionary leadership. Kuberbhai emerged as a beacon of hope, perceived by the populace as the visionary leader they sought. In 2004, amidst a severe water crisis along the banks of the Mahisagar River, Kuberbhai accompanied the local MP and MLA to present their plight to the then Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. In a poignant appeal, Kuberbhai described the irony of the situation, stating, "Sir, the very people who live in sight of the Mahisagar River are deprived of its life-giving waters." His concise and impactful presentation resonated deeply with Mr Modi, who immediately sanctioned a 70-crore water supply scheme. Kuberbhai's astute advocacy was pivotal in alleviating the region's chronic water scarcity.
From the very first meeting, Mr Narendra Modi recognized the heroism of this young leader. Kuberbhai's illustrious political career had started its grand journey.
(Continue....)
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