Decades later, a similar story of perseverance has emerged from Karnataka, where 56-year-old Govinda Malekudiya refused to wait for government action and instead transformed the lives of his community by building a road himself.
A Village Left Behind
Govinda Malekudiya is a resident of Peradka, located in Mala Gram Panchayat of Karkala taluk, Karnataka. For years, residents of the local Scheduled Tribe (ST) colony struggled due to the absence of a proper road connecting their settlement to the outside world. The lack of road access made everyday activities—from commuting to work and school to accessing healthcare—extremely difficult.
Despite repeated appeals by villagers, the long-awaited infrastructure project never materialised. According to environmental activist Arathi Ashok, the issue was repeatedly raised with local authorities and even brought before the Lokayukta, which directed the gram panchayat and the Social Welfare Department to address the problem.
However, no significant progress followed. Arathi also stated that she filed a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details about the proposed road but reportedly received no response.
Taking Matters Into His Own Hands
After years of waiting, Govinda decided that enough was enough.
Having worked as a daily wage labourer for nearly three decades, he left his job during the COVID-19 pandemic and dedicated himself entirely to constructing the road that his village desperately needed.
Armed with nothing more than a pickaxe and a shovel, Govinda began clearing and levelling the terrain by hand. Working tirelessly over the years, he created approximately 500 metres of accessible road connecting the Sringeri–Mala–Bajagoli–Pulkeri–Mangaluru National Highway near Peradka to Bugatugundi, the first ward road serving his colony.
Understanding that heavy monsoon rains frequently damaged the route, he also built a simple drainage system to prevent flooding and improve the road's durability.
Building More Than Just a Road
Govinda's contribution extended beyond transportation.
As a farmer who deeply values nature, he planted more than 50 tree saplings along the roadside to promote environmental conservation. He also plans to plant additional trees along the Sringeri–Mala–Bajagoli stretch, ensuring that the development remains environmentally sustainable.
Reflecting on his efforts, Govinda said:
"I have planted a tree in the forest by the forest department. It is comforting to see everyone walking around happily. Our life exists if there is an environment. Tomorrow, if we don't have an environment, we don't have life."
His work has significantly improved the lives of nearly 25 families living in the ST colony, providing safer and easier access for vehicles, schoolchildren, farmers, and elderly residents.
Government Action Still Incomplete
Persistent follow-ups by environmental activist Arathi Ashok eventually prompted some government response. The Lokayukta reportedly directed authorities to repair around 200 metres of the road between Ward No. 1 and Bugatugundi.
Although the stretch was widened using an excavator, the road remains unpaved.
In 2025, Panchayat Development Officer Srinivas S confirmed that asphalting work had not yet been completed. He stated that the panchayat would seek funding through the Integrated Tribal Development Project (ITDP) and assured that those responsible for delays would be held accountable.
A Living Inspiration
Today, Govinda Malekudiya is celebrated as a living inspiration in his village. His determination has given residents a safer route to travel, enabled students to walk to school with greater ease, and connected an isolated community to the outside world.
Instead of waiting indefinitely for promises to become reality, Govinda chose to become the solution himself. His story demonstrates that lasting change often begins with the courage of a single individual who refuses to accept inaction.
Much like Dashrath Manjhi before him, Govinda Malekudiya has shown that resilience, selflessness, and unwavering determination can pave the way—quite literally—for a better future.
