121. I had no raincoat or umbrella with me

Thousand Moon: Shrimati Kumudini Nilkanth Godbole

Contributed By: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Shrimati Kumudini Nilkanth Godbole is 81. She stays in Kothrud, Pune. Here is an account of some of her fond memories.

When I was asked to describe or pen down a single memory I experienced a sort of ‘Fast Forward of Memories’ in my mind. Selecting one or two from a store house turned out to be a challenging job.

When I thought of writing, my life passed before my eyes rapidly like a movie! And then I started to pen them down.

 I was a very shy girl. I must have been about 8 years old then. I was studying in Kamala Nehru Primary School. A school picnic was arranged for the boys and girls. I didn’t go I was afraid my father would say no and I was scared. This shyness passed away later.

I came to Pune in 1954 after my Matriculation and in 1956 I was married. My husband’s family consisted of about six members. It was difficult for me to be free in that atmosphere. My Husband knew my condition and he encouraged me to join Nursing class. After a lapse of ten years I started studying again and completed the nursing course. Getting a job was no problem and for the first time I experienced financial freedom. This gave me self-confidence and happiness. Now I am happy

And enjoy reading writing and traveling.

When I was working in Sassoon Hospital I used to get a day OFF in a week. It was compulsory to return to the Nursing Hostel by 9PM. Once I went home on my day off .I enjoyed the day with the family and returned by 7PM.When I got down at the bus stop it suddenly started raining heavily. It was very dark and there was a thunder storm. I had no raincoat or umbrella with me and I was scared and did not know what to do. But from nowhere a boy appeared, I feel he must be from the nearby building and safely led me to the nursing quarters and disappeared. I was so confused and scared that I did not ask him his name or where he stayed. I never saw him again. He appeared like a God to me. But I did feel I should have asked him his whereabouts. That I did not still bothers me.

On 10^th March 66 I joined as a staff in a Mental Asylum. First April I got my salary. The first thing I did was to go shopping I purchased lots of things for my children including sweets and toys. The children were very happy. All this was possible because of being financially independent. The children enjoyed, we went to circus and had ice cream etc. Everyone was over joyed.

Time passed and I completed 80 years of age. My birthday was celebrated by my grand daughters

With lot of fanfare. It was a Sahastrachandra Darshan sohala and I did not feel like disappointing them. One of my granddaughter found my diary and read out my memoirs. While reading she added relevant songs in between and made it a memorable performance. She also talked how she feels about her grandmother. My other granddaughters also sang the songs I liked and entertained the guests assembled for the occasion. The youngest granddaughter sang a Bhairavi. Everything was managed well and my sons and daughter in laws also participated with great enthusiasm. It was grand function. My Golden day!

Time stops for no one and as long as we live we should we should cherish our golden memories. Concluding I would like to say

These happy memories

Brighten your lives

Hold them close,

 to Your heart

Till you last!

-Shrimati Kumudini Nilkanth Godbole