PATNA/NEW DELHI — In a small village under Jhajha block of Jamui district in Bihar, a man who earns his livelihood repairing punctured tyres has built a concrete bridge using his own savings and community support — in memory of his late mother.
Sarfaraz Ansari, who runs a modest puncture repair shop and struggles to support his family, constructed the bridge over a river that once claimed his mother’s life. The structure is expected to benefit nearly 40 villages in the surrounding area.
The story dates back to 2019, when Sarfaraz’s mother fell seriously ill during the monsoon. The village had no proper bridge connecting it to the main road and nearby market, and the river was swollen due to heavy rains.
Sarfaraz had to carry his ailing mother across the overflowing river to reach a hospital. The journey was dangerous and exhausting. By the time they managed to access medical care, she had passed away.
He believes that had there been a bridge and quicker access to treatment, her life might have been saved.
“Since that day, I felt that the river took my mother away from me,” Sarfaraz said. “I kept thinking that no other son should suffer like this.”
After her death, he resolved to build a bridge so that no one would have to risk their life crossing the river again, especially in emergencies.
Despite limited financial means, he began setting aside small amounts from his daily earnings at the puncture shop. Over time, his savings grew.
When he shared his plan with villagers, they supported the idea and contributed funds and voluntary labour. The bridge was built entirely without government assistance.
The structure measures approximately 25 feet in length, 13 feet in width and 8 feet in height. According to residents, it will directly benefit people from around 40 villages.
Earlier, during the rainy season, residents had to travel several extra kilometres to reach the town. Many risked their lives attempting to cross the river. Children struggled to attend school, farmers faced difficulty transporting produce to markets, and patients often experienced delays in reaching hospitals.
With the bridge now in place, daily life is expected to improve significantly.
“For years, we demanded a bridge. We never imagined it would be built by one of our own,” a local resident said. “Sarfaraz has done what even the authorities could not.”
Another villager added, “During the monsoon, we feared the river. Now we feel safe.”
Local representatives and officials have also praised the effort. One official described it as “an inspiring example of community initiative and determination.”
Sarfaraz, however, remains humble.
“I am not a big man,” he said. “But a person should have a big heart. I still feel the pain of losing my mother, but I find peace knowing that no other mother or daughter will have to face what mine faced.”
“For the world, this may be just a bridge made of cement and iron rods,” he added. “For me, it is a dream fulfilled. I saved little by little, and with the villagers’ support, we built this bridge. Seeing people benefit from it is my greatest happiness.”
For many in Jamui, the bridge is more than infrastructure. It stands as a symbol of determination, grief transformed into action, and the power of one individual to change the lives of thousands.
