Mangilalji has many interesting stories to share

He has many interesting stories to narrate and that too in many ways, Humour and intensity are two of the traits which is evident in every story that Mangi Lal Ji narrates. So the first interesting story starts from his father. His father was the Patel(elected representative) of his village(Nayapura). It is one of the cluster of villages which is under submergence owing to construction affected by Omkareshwar Dam along with seven other villages.

He recounts “ may father was the Patel of the village and he enjoyed absolute powers in the decision making process pertaining to the village. The interesting aspect of his true story is that the day on which his father passed away, the officials of NHDC(Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation) made a visit in the village in order to undertake a survey.

He remembers “I vaguely remember the day. May father was showing them the village. That was his last day. Soon after the officials left my father passed way. Today when I look back I often think was it indicative of something”.
Mangilal Ji is extremely popular in the Dharaji region and one of the reasons of his popularity is his association with the Bhajan and Natak Mandali which was set up in Narsingpura(One of the cluster of villages of Dharaji). He elaborated” Every Monday we would gather to sing Bhajans, perform Natak along with Lal Singh Bhai and Bhagat Singh Bhai. As he was narrating the story he couldn’t stop himself from singing his favorite bhajan.
“
Bhagwan Tumhare mandir mein
Ek naya pujari aaya hai
Haatho mein lota jal ka
Jal charane aaya hain
Haatho mein thali phoolon ki
Aur phool charane aaya hai “

The conversation with Mangilalji made me realize that he has tremendous confidence in his own abilities and faith in the Andolan – Narmada Bachao Andolan and he confidently stated “ Hume to ladna hai. Aage mushkil hain par kya kare , hume to ladna hai ya phir marna hai. He is not one of those who will give up easily. He will fight right till the end.
That’s not it. He seems to be only a person who has learnt from experiences. It all started when he used to observe his father resolving the conflicts of the village and from thereon he has never looked back. He Acknowledged : Hum to anpad hai, sirf itna aata hain ki apna naam lik sake , par bacho ko padana hai “.