29. Travelled widely in India and abroad

Contributed by: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Shri. B.S.Kolhatkar is 87 years old. He stays alone since his wife's death in 1995.He enjoys good health and according to him leads a tension free life. He has travelled widely in India and abroad. He has a large friend circle and spends his time playing cards watching TV serials and listening to music.

He retired from Indian Railways and was felicitated by them for an excellent service. That he says was his finest day.

But then he has nostalgic memories of his visit to US. He travelled in US alone though he was more than 80 then. He cherishes the memory of his visit to Phoenix Arizona, where he stayed with his granddaughter for 60 days. He describes these sixty days as the GOLDEN DAYS of his life.

He fondly remembers the programs arranged by the Maharashtrian community in Phoenix and has a high praise for them. He is very impressed by the friendly nature of Americans.

28. Dream fulfilled!

Contributed By: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Shri P.L.Vaidya stays in Pune. He is 88 years old.

Shri Vaidya feels that selfless service to society is the greatest joy in life.  He is open minded enough to admit that some may feel differently.

From 1946 to 1980 he stayed at Telagi near Solapur. It was a small village and had a Kannad Primary school. The school did not have a proper school building and so the premises of an old Maruti Temple and that too dilapidated was being used, and there were only two rooms available.

Shri Vaidya who was a R.S.S. volunteer started teaching English to the students. He narrated to them the stories of Patriots and Patriotism .He inculcated in them the love of sports too.

In1948 that was after Indian Independence that the school was granted permission to have classes up to seventh standard by the Local Board. The condition was that the local people should contribute Rupees 4500/- and if they did the Board would contribute Rs 18000/- towards the Building fund and build the school.

Shri. Vaidya took up the challenge and started collecting contributions from the local villagers. He organized Prabhat Feris along with the students to collect money for the school.. They collected Rs4200/-. Shri Vaidya added Rs 300/- from his own pocket to complete the sum.

The amount was deposited in a Vijapur Bank and in 1954 the school got the rooms as promised by the Board and Shri Vaidya was overjoyed to see them. This was the happiest moment of his life

His dream was fulfilled.