Success Story: Know the story of Dinesh Gurjar’s transformation from a criminal to a successful farmer
Success Story: The life tale of Dinesh Gurjar is quite remarkable. He was once a wanted man engaged in violent, drug-related, and criminal activities, but he is now a natural farmer and advocate for sustainable living. On his 8-acre model farm close to Jodhpur, Dinesh is now a prosperous natural farming specialist who cultivates both land and purpose. His transformation from celebrity to inspiration is an engrossing tale of atonement, tenacity, and rebirth.
An Unsettling Start
Looking back on his tumultuous history, Dinesh Gurjar admits, “I thought I could outsmart the law.” He soon found himself attracted into a life of crime since he grew up in a culture that condoned violence. “I saw conflicts between groups all the time at school. Fistfights and wrongdoings were commonplace,” he remembers.
After his first run-in with the authorities in 1970, his criminal activity became more severe over time. Dinesh was heavily involved in drug and firearm trafficking by the middle of the 1980s. His life took a terrible turn in 1986 when he was found guilty of murder and given a life sentence. But even being imprisoned didn’t stop him. Dinesh twice escaped from jail and returned to Mumbai to carry on his illegal operations while posing as someone else. When his network failed in 2001, he was forced to turn himself in and complete his term, ending his reign of crime.
An Important Development at Tihar Jail
Dinesh’s enrollment in the Art of Living jail program during his incarceration at Tihar Jail marked a sea change in his life. He says, “That was the first time I really thought about what I had done.” He learned about meditation and the benefits of awareness from the program, which was run by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It provided him with a fresh outlook and the means to change his life.
Encouraged by this new understanding, Dinesh started improving himself by changing his attitude and actions. Because of his efforts, he was released early in 2011. He became an Art of Living instructor in 2014, determined to inspire people to overcome obstacles and live meaningful lives by sharing the message of peace and change.
The Adventure of Dinesh in Farming
Dinesh discovered the fundamentals of natural farming as a result of his research into leading a healthy lifestyle. He established an 8-acre model farm close to Jodhpur, motivated by the aim of producing nutrient-dense, chemical-free food. His farm produces a range of products, such as lemons, wheat, pears, and millets, and is an example of sustainable agriculture. Dinesh maintains the ecology and soil health while making a profit of Rs. 1 to Rs. 1.5 lakh each month via natural farming.
“Healthy food is something that everyone wants to consume, but no one wants to cultivate it. “This needs to be changed,” he declares. His strategy is based on natural agricultural practices, including mulching, mixed cropping, and microbiological solutions like Jeevamrut, which is prepared from cow dung, jaggery, and pulse flour. These methods increase agricultural yields, improve soil fertility, and do away with the need for artificial pesticides.
A Force for Transformation
Dinesh’s farm serves as a center for education and change in addition to being an agricultural operation. He has hosted several farmers on his property for months at a time and instructed more than 500 farmers in natural farming methods. Throughout their visit, he also imparts the Sudarshan Kriya of the Art of Living, which combines farming and meditation to encourage a comprehensive relationship with the land and oneself.
“There is a misconception that only expensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides can result in good yields,” says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who praises Dinesh’s efforts. But our farmers, who have received training in chemical-free and natural farming, have shown that natural farming can be as successful. This fact is best shown by Dinesh’s success, which shows how sustainable farming methods may result in more nutritious crops, cheaper inputs, and increased long-term profitability.
A Hopeful Legacy
“Being a farmer has allowed me to live a purposeful life,” Dinesh muses. His dedication to natural farming and his community has left a lasting legacy, demonstrating that it is possible to transform even the most dismal background into a source of hope. “I’ve always given my all to whatever I’ve done, whether it’s crime or natural farming,” he adds, despite the lengthy and challenging trip.
The tale of Dinesh Gurjar serves as a potent reminder that anybody who is prepared to accept change may achieve it. In addition to growing crops, he is creating a better and more promising future for future generations by changing his life and committing to sustainable methods.
