Sanjay Manjhi: Everyday hero

At his day job, he’s a sweeper, washing-up guy and waiter all rolled in one at the canteen in Hatia’s National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology (NIFFT). At night, he’s an MPhil student of geography.

In a country with strict blue and white collar divides, Sanjay Manjhi (26) straddles both worlds with ease.

The youth from Kamdara block of rebel-hit Gumla can teach many a lesson in dignity of labour.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of about menial labour. I am earning to support my education. I am pursuing MPhil in geography after completing my masters from Ranchi University. And yes, work is my passion,” Sanjay said.

He earns Rs 1,000 a month from the canteen. He also teaches needy children at Kartavya, managed by NIFFT students, for which he gets Rs 1,500 a month. Kartavya has 40 members and a centre each at Hatia and Tupudana.

“Everyday, I spend three hours to teach poor children English, math and geography. I understand their dreams. Main chahta hoon yeh bachhe bada ho kar khub naam kamayein (I hope these kids do well as adults),” he said.

He adds that he owes a lot to Kartavya members.

“After matriculation, I approached them and said I wanted to study. Kartavya members financially supported me so that I could finish my plus two, graduation and masters,” he added.

In 2005, he got lucky when NIFFT students asked him informally if he would dredge up some choked drains. Seeing he was educated, the cradle backed his education that had stopped after matriculation.

Back then, in fact, he was struggling to feed himself and his disabled father. His mother had died early. “On weekends, I used to sell bamboo baskets in the city that my father made. I’d earn Rs 120, with which I bought rice and potatoes.”

His heart broke when his father passed away in 2008.

“But I continued to study, while doing several things such as working as a daily wage labourer which got me Rs 90 per day. My university results were good and I love my subject. So, the road didn’t seem too uphill,” said the gritty youth.

Kartavya coordinator Sudhanshu Kumar was all praises for Sanjay.

“I am impressed. How can a person get a master’s degree in geography while leading such a tough life? There’s no trace of self-pity in him. He believes in hard work. Now, he wants to do his BEd,” said Kumar.

As an afterthought, Kumar added: “All his village friends have joined some Naxalite outfit or other. But look at him.”