Menial to Minister: An Adventurous Odyssey of Dr Kuber Dindor
(A biography by Ishwar Prajapati,
Translated into English by Pallavi Gupta)
Part - 1
"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 Kuber 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 Kuber 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, Dr Kuber 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 Kuber Dindor's eyes
still well up with emotion. Yet, amid such hardship, a spark of hope ignited
within young Kuber. 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, Kuberbhai, 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...)
https://ishvarprajapati.blogspot.com/2024/08/a-solitary-journey-from-labourer-to.html
©️ Pallavi Gupta 🌷
