From Survival to Service: The Story of Grindas Ch Marak
My name is Grindas Ch Marak. I come from Selbal Nokat in West Garo Hills. I grew up in a large family where even one full meal felt like a blessing. Two of my brothers lived with other families, and the rest of us stayed with our parents. As a child, I often spent time with older people. Their stories gave me comfort, and their presence made me feel seen.
School began for me in 1997. I completed two classes in a single year, yet learning was never easy. Days were filled with chores, nights passed in darkness, and when kerosene finished, there was nothing to study by. I still remember sitting near the Nokpante with pieces of firewood burning beside me. That glow became my companion during hours when every page felt like a step toward a life I wanted but could not yet imagine.
As I grew older, I understood the limits of what my parents could provide. I worked as a labourer on Saturdays to save what little I could for school needs. I dreamed of joining Navodaya, but I was not allowed to apply. I stayed in the village school, carrying my hopes quietly while handling responsibilities far larger than my age.
My faith gave me guidance through these years. I accepted Jesus when I was young, and by 2008 I felt deeply committed to serving others. In 2012, I began preaching in different places. Those years showed me how much strength a person can offer simply by listening and standing beside others in their pain.
On 9 February 2016, my life changed without warning. An accident left me unable to work for almost a year. I felt trapped inside my own body and full of despair. My family struggled with my dependence and eventually asked me to live by myself. I moved into the Nokpante. Villagers who saw my situation brought rice and vegetables. Their kindness kept me alive during days when I had almost nothing else to hold on to.
In 2022, I made the decision to begin again. I moved to a new place to rebuild my life. I took a loan of fifty thousand rupees, cleared a small plot, built a bamboo house, and started a small grocery shop. I used the remaining amount to raise chickens and keep bees. With every small step, I felt my confidence return.
Today, I live a life shaped by resilience. I have a home I built, food I earn, and work that gives me dignity. I also serve as a role model and divyang mitra with Sols Arc, supporting other persons with disabilities as they work toward independence. Helping others reach the place I once struggled to reach has become one of the strongest parts of my purpose.
What we can learn from this story
• Recovery is possible even after deep loss. His move from the Nokpante to a home of his own shows how far steady effort can take a person.
• Support can arrive quietly and still transform a life. The villagers who brought him food kept him steady during his toughest months.
• Independence grows through small but consistent choices. A tiny shop, a bamboo house, and a few chickens helped him build a stable present and a hopeful future.
• A person’s journey can become a guide for others. His role as a divyang mitra shows how lived experience can inspire and support people who are now walking the same path he once walked.
