39. I have never known ecstasy...maybe this was some thing very close to it

 Thousand Moon: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar, Kothrud, Pune. 81+

Contributed by: Rohini

I met Dr. Boradkar for the first time when he recited one of his poems at a cultural program arranged by Phoenix Metro Marathi Mandal, AZ. He was visiting his son at the time. During one of our subsequent meetings I learnt to my delight that Dr. Boradkar was a good friend of my maternal uncle since they both lived in Jamnagar, Gujarath. Apart from being a physician and a poet he has many other interests and keeps up with the world via his computer that he says he is addicted to. Dr. Boradkar has contributed several interviews to this blog. He recently became a 'sahasrachandra darshi' witnessing a thousand moons and has shared one of his happiest moments here upon my request. Here is the account in his own words.

Our first visit to the US was in 1996. Our son Prasad had found a job at ITT Technical Institute in San Bernardino, California to start a new program in Product Design. During this visit, time flew by rapidly and we found ourselves back in India in no time.

In 2000, he moved to Phoenix and joined Arizona State University (ASU). I faintly remember he had asked me if leaving ITT and joining ASU was proper and I had opined in favor. I had then felt that ASU would positively open more doors for him.

In 2003 we met Prasad again in Bhutan where my daughter was working at that time. He seemed to be enjoying his work and the academic atmosphere. When asked he said, “teaching seems to be in my blood.” Finding work that one enjoys is the best thing that can happen in anyone’s life, and I envied him for that.

In 2005 we visited Phoenix. By then, I had retired and we were in no hurry to go back to India. Prasad had just signed a contract to write a book for Berg, a publishing house based in Oxford, England. His friend Paul Rothstein who had unexpectedly died the day after he received the contract had called it “a big deal”. I felt it was a tall order. And it tickled me somewhere.

Soon it was time to leave the US, and we were back in India. And at this stage, it was still a very small idea in his head. What I did not know was that it could grow into an obsession in mine. It did not appear very rational. It was his book, not mine, and clearly I should have no reason to be bothered about it. In spite of all logic, however, the idea of the book first became a concern and then an obsession for me—a magnificent one.

Sometime back I had acquired a computer and I used to regularly fiddle with it. Soon I became acquainted with it and eventually got addicted to it. It was something good that happened to me. I was now able to send emails and ask numerous questions about the progress of the book.

In 2008 we visited Phoenix again. This visit turned out to be an eye opener for me as far as the book was concerned. I could see that barring the hours spent in the university, he spent most of his time on the computer working on the book. I could also sense the tension that was building inside him as the deadline for submission of the manuscript was nearing. There was hardly anything that we could do except looking after his home. Though I had realized that there was no point in pushing, I somehow did not stop goading him to finish and submit the manuscript on time rather than asking for extensions.

We were relieved when on the due date he told us that it was all done and it was just to be submitted. I can recollect that it was late in the evening when he sent off the manuscript, and we happily went out to celebrate the event.  Prasad’s editor at Berg, Mr. Tristan Palmer wrote the next day or day after. He had read the first chapter and had said that he was bowled over—something we had not really expected. It was a comforting compliment.

Months rolled on and it was time to head back home. There was nothing to be done now other than wait for the book to appear in print. What began was an endless flow of time that never seemed to end.

This time I came back to India with a laptop added to my already extra luggage: a very likable addition indeed. And in a few days after returning home, I was used to the laptop. On Amazon.com, I could see the date of publication and a picture of the book cover. The book was being reviewed and some changes here and there must have been suggested and implemented. Though I understood that the process was time‐consuming and we had no control over it, my mind was somehow was not ready to accept the fact. But wait I had to, and so I ultimately tried the only panacea available and that was to LET GO.

Fortunately (or otherwise), time passes in spite of you. Finally the day arrived when Prasad informed me about the publishing of the book. It was the 6th June 2010, and it felt like we had been waiting for a baby to be born. This birth of a book was a great event in my life and the one that I had not imagined till it started. And although it was not an achievement of mine it still made me immensely happy. I had asked Prasad to send me a copy and he promptly did so. When I got the book in my hand, I went on looking at it, handled it gently, and felt like a child who gets a new toy.

Feelings often fall short of the words we use to describe them. Though feelings of joy, ecstasy or happiness might be difficult to describe, they are real sensations. However, the intensity with which one feels is a very personal affair. I was happy, and became more so when the book got an award from Prasad’s university as the best book in 2010 on transdisciplinary humanities.

I have never known ecstasy. Maybe this was a similar feeling or something very close to it.

Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

38. Face To Face With a Tiger

Thousand Moon: Nana Sovani

Date: February, 2012

Contributed by: Bapu Kelkar

Nana Sovani lives in Someshwar near Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. My father Bapu, a Thousand Moon himself, comes from the same village and spoke with Nana Sovani during his last visit to Someshwar. The account was narrated to me and I have tried to capture it in words.

Nana Sovani now retired for many years, was a teacher by profession. He would get posted in villages close to Devrukh, a town in the Ratnagiri District. He would get paid every two months when he would go to Devrukh on foot and collect his paycheck. On one such trip during a late summer afternoon, Nana was walking on a deserted road towards Devrukh when to his shock and horror he came face to face with a tiger, a real live tiger! He was petrified for a moment and then the fight-or-flight instinct took over and Nana turned around and ran for his dear life and did not look back till he reached home. Although he was devoid of any energy and was thoroughly exhausted yet was overjoyed and overcome with relief for being alive and well.  Nana remembers the incidence vividly even today!

37. I felt proud that I was a citizen of a free nation

Shrimati Lila Laxman Deo (81+)

Contributed by Dr. R. Boradkar (81+)

It was a day but a day that comes only once .It was a moment but a moment that comes only once. On this day and at this moment of midnight India was to be free from a nearly two hundred years of British subjugation.

Every soul in India that day was waiting for the moment that would change history   and be a witness to that great event.

Exactly at the stroke of midnight, for a moment the time stood still, and then those unforgettable words of the First Prime Minister of free India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru filled the atmosphere giving every Indian the Joy and Pride of being a free citizen.

Those words were “Long years ago we made tryst with destiny and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge not wholly or in full measure but  very substantially .At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps , India will awake to life and freedom.”

Shrimati Lila Laxman Deo is proud to be a witness to this memorable event.

Shrimati Lila Laxman Deo stays Kothrud, Pune, India

She spends her time reading books on various topics, Is an Active member of Senior Citizens club. Acts as a councilor for her family. She loves her morning walk and exercise.

Here is her account tin her own words.

I was just sixteen when India achieved independence .From my childhood I used to hear that we were ruled by the British and that we were just slaves. In my family the family members were fond of reading newspapers and we used to have different newspapers in our house. The elders used to read the papers and then discuss the political issues amongst themselves. I listened to what was discussed. The stories of patriots who suffered and sacrificed their lives and willingly went to the gallows moved me to tears.

On 15 th August 1947 India became free and at long last we had our freedom .The very thought that we are now free people and a free nation filled my heart with immense joy.

And then there was the morning of our Very First independence day. There was music being played everywhere. The melodious tunes from the Sanai (is an Indian wind instrument) filled the air. My heart was full to the brim with joy indescribable. My country was free and we had driven out the British from our soil.

Quickly I finished my morning chores, put on a new dress and went to school literarily dancing. There was to be a procession and everybody was busy with the preparation. All my classmates were happy. Sweets were distributed and then the procession started.

Slogans like Bharatmata ki Jai (Victory to Mother India), Jay Hind (Victory to India) and swantantryacha  vijay aso  (Victory to freedom) filled the air and the different voices blended together and there was enthusiasm unseen before.

But somewhere in my mind I felt sorry for those who willingly sacrificed their lives and were unable to see this day. The joy I felt was tinged with a shade of sorrow.

While participating in the procession I felt that everything seemed different. The Tri-color was proudly unfurled on every Government Building. I felt proud that I was a citizen of a free nation. I really couldn’t believe that I was actually witnessing and experiencing this great moment.

Now I have completed eighty one years of my life .and I am happy and proud of being a Citizen of a free nation. I do not feel there could have been a greater moment of happiness than this for me.

I tell my children with great pride that I have seen the First Independence day. It’s a golden day for me and I will never forget it in my life .It was a day of utmost happiness and will remain so for me forever.

36. Built the Cheapest Cooperative Society in Thane

Contributed by: Rohini Abhyankar

Shankar (Aba) Marathe was born in Kaasa, Ratnagiri in the year 1928.

He came from a poor family where the primary source of income was ‘bhikshuki’ (local priesthood).

He had seven brothers and two sisters.

Now he has two sons who are both well established in their respective professions.

He remembers the day when the cooperative society that he had worked so hard to get built was inaugurated and the Auditor remarked that to his knowledge, that was the most inexpensive society in all of Thane. Here is how the story was narrated to me by Shri. Aba Marathe…

I used to live in a very dilapidated worn down house. I lived there for 16 years, and one day I came across a piece of vacant land that was for sale. The owner was a member of the Bohari community and he was associated with the rubber industry. I decided to build a cooperative society on that land and resolved to make it very affordable to everyone willing to join the cooperative.

We did some calculations and decided to sell the accommodations at cost price at the rate of Rs. 50/sq. foot. All arrangements were made and it was time for us to buy the land for a cost of Rs. 75,000 and start the construction, but for some reason the owner of the land started dilly dallying when it came to signing the papers. I was worried. The work could not begin till we had the possession of the land. I was very concerned. I gathered up all my courage and went and met with the collector. He reviewed all the documents and telephoned the land owner at his office and firmly warned him that if the papers were not signed by the coming Friday the collector would sign them on behalf of the owner. This did the trick. After a lot of hard work the society was completed. A statue of Shivaji now graces the society grounds. It was a matter of pride and joy for me that I was instrumental in providing decent, affordable housing to the members of the cooperative. The auditor even remarked that as far as he knew, this was the least expensive society in the entire city of Thane.

I have lived here happily for the past 37 years.

35. A moving experience

A moving experience

Contributed By: Rohini Abhyankar

Sushila Joshi age 81 years lives in Girgaon with her 86 year old husband.

She was born in Nasik and came from a well off family and had five siblings.

Now she has a son and a daughter who are both well settled in life with their respective families.

She was a college graduate before she was married and continued her education after marriage.

She did a comparative study of Tukaram and Kabir to earn her doctorate. She has studied the ‘Dasbodh’ and has organized ‘Dasbodh’ study groups for over 25 years.

One day Sushila attended a discourse delivered by a renowned and well respected spiritual leader/‘shastriji’ (a person who is an authority on religion). After his discourse was over, Sushila went to meet Shastriji and as is customary in India paid her respects by bowing at Shastriji’s feet. Since Sushila and her family had high social standing and had conferred an award on Shastriji through the family Trust, he recognized her but before she could say anything he was overcome by emotion and broke down crying like a baby. Sushila was puzzled and shocked and did not know how to react. All she could say was,

“Dada, please don’t cry. If you break down like this what are we to do?”

After some time Shastriji was able to regain his composure and all he could say to her was,

“How are we going to transfer our heritage to the next generation?”

This conveyed to her his worry about the future and the wellbeing of the generations to come.

She was moved by the incidence and remembers it till today.

34. Guruji’s directive changed my life

Guruji’s directive changed my life

Ramakrishna (Dada) Ganesh Joshi

Born in Vasai, Papadi, 1925

Contributed by: Rohini Abhyankar

I spoke to Ramakrishna (Dada) Joshi at his residence in Girgaon, Mumbai on a Sunday morning over tea. We had a long chat where he shared many pleasant memories from his accomplished life. Here is a particularly memorable one…

Ramakrishna came from a poor family. He was the eldest of the six boys in the family. Ramakrishna was a volunteer for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since he was 12 years old.

In the year 1942, when he was in Intermediate Collage, a lot of people left homes to become full time workers (Pracharaks) for RSS. Ramakrishna also registered for Officer’s Training Camp (OTC), a month long training program for the Pracharaks.

It was here that Ramakrishna came in contact with Golwalkar Guruji, the then head of the organization. Guruji knew everyone personally, knew names of all the Pracharaks. He addresses Ramakrishna by name and asked him “Are you planning to be a Pracharak?” Guruji knew that Ramakrishna was a second year college student. He also knew Ramakrishna’s family situation. Guruji asked Shivaram Pant Jogelekar, the regional head, “Will this young man be going?” Shivram Pant answered in affirmative. Guruji thought for a while and said to Ramakrishna that he should become a Pracharak only after completing his college education.

This lead Ramakrishna to complete his education and looking back this seems like the single most life changing event of his entire life. He is very thankful to Late Guruji for his far sighted advice.

33. Promotion: The day of rejoicing!

Contributed by: Dr. R. Boradkar

Mr. Shirlekar is 82 years old .Born on 3-9-1929.

He spends his time in Akola [Vidarbh] and Pune.

When in Pune He stays with his son.

He feels the day of his promotion as the most happy event in his life and a day of joy for all Shirlekars. This is what he has to say and the account is in his own words.

The day of rejoicing for Shirlekars

Some time in about 1954-55 a truck moved over the streets in Balaghat town, then in Madhya Pradesh [and now in Chhattisgarh] state in India. The banner hung over the truck was “14th Annual session of The M.P .Subordinate Engineering Services Association” and about 30 persons seated in truck shouted the slogan “We will live as overseers and die as overseers”. Having put in about 5 years service in Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department, I was one among those 30 persons.

The slogan being shouted by the occupants in the truck obviously spoke about the bleak Chances of promotion for overseers in the employment of the State Government. I came to know that overseers in class III executive posts were eligible for promotion to the limited non gazetted posts as Sub Divisional officers and only a couple of posts in the entire state available to them for promotion to the gazetted posts of Assistant Engineer in class II and Executive Engineer in class I. It then naturally followed that only a few of the most efficient ones could aspire to go up to these superior ranks and that too at the fag end of their services.

The slogan that I have mentioned had an impact on me and for the first time I was worried about my own promotion that seemed so distant.   I was quite happy and contented till then, with my three figure monthly salary which was comparable to the salaries earned by Graduates working on class III executive posts  in other departments of the state.

The second reason for my contentment was that I came from a poor family and had to struggle a lot during my student days and in spite of all odds I had obtained the Diploma in Civil Engineering from Nagpur University. There was no Degree course then and Government Engineering School was the only institution having engineering faculty in the state.

He slogan affected me in such a way that I took my job with utmost sincerity and hard work and my eyes were set on the promotion in the service.. Luckily at the time of reorganization of states I was allocated to Ex Bombay state where there was no quota rule for promotion to class II post of Deputy Engineer and class I post of executive Engineer. The only criteria for promotion to class II post were that a Diploma Holder had to put in 10 years of service in class III post of overseer/Junior Engineer while a Graduate was eligible for this promotion with three years of service only .For further promotion to class I Gazetted post the only criterion common for all was 7 years service in class II post of Deputy Engineer.

Accordingly immediately after completion of 10 years service as overseer /Junior Engineer I was promoted to the Gazetted Class II post of Deputy Engineer in 1959.

This promotion was a moment of extreme joy for all Shirlekars and it knew no bounds, more so when we thought of the slogan given in 1954-55 that once an overseer for ever an overseer. The vicious spell was broken and I was no more an overseer.

 And then came the moment when All Shirlekars reached the pinnacle of Joy when on 10-9-1978 with 9 years  still for retirement ,I received Government Orders promoting me to Class I gazetted  post of Executive Engineer in Public Works Department.

The occasion was celebrated on a grand scale and as is customary sweets were distributed to one and all. This to me was my finest day.

32. Certificate of Excellence!

Nalini

Contributed by: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Mrs. Nalini Purushottam Vaidya will be completing 82 years in February 2012.She is an active member of the Mahila Mandal, Stays in Pune. Here is her contribution as was told to me.

Another four months and Mrs. Nalini Purushottam Vaidya will be completing sixty two years of her happy married life. She has fond memories of this period that they have shared together and whenever she recalls them her heart is filled with joy and she feels immensely happy. The memories are as fresh as ever.

One particular memory that she cherishes and relishes belongs to her early married life when at a young age of twenty she entered the large joint family of Vaidya as a newlywed. The family had three elder brothers and their wives, an unmarried brother and a sister and of course elderly parents. As she says she was a little apprehensive initially as she was not used to staying in a large family. Her own family consisted of only four people as her married brothers and sister had settled elsewhere. The apprehension disappeared soon enough and she did not even realize how the days flew in the house which had now become her own.

It so happened that one day her father in law suddenly announced that Sou. Nalini will be in charge of the kitchen and will do everything, cooking and all that by herself . As luck would have it, she knew  cooking and managed everything so well that her father in law was impressed and well pleased. So at the time of dinner when everyone was around he got up and said, Sou. Nalini has managed everything well and has passed her test with flying colors, and I give her a certificate of being an excellent House wife.’ As Mrs. Vaidya says, when she heard these words, her heart was swollen with pride. This truly was the day of utmost happiness for her .and she was overjoyed.

MR and Mrs. Vaidya stayed in a small house in Sadashiv peth for some time and then Mr. Vaidya decided to go to a small village near Vijapur with the idea of doing some business and so left, without completing his graduation. Mr. Vaidya had given her an idea about this so it was not a surprise. It was clear to her that she was to spend her life in the village which offered no facilities for further education or for learning any other skill. So she started mixing with the women folk and   started teaching them about the importance of family planning and creating in them a kind of social awareness.

As she says she makes friends easily .has no problem of loneliness, likes cooking and preparing various dishes and feels content when they are relished.

31. A mystical experience on her way to Kanyakumari

Contributed By: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar
Thousand Moon: Shrimati Sudha Anant Fadke, over 81 yrs. lives in Pune, India. 

According to her it must have been 1996 or 1997 she is not sure. She and her sisters decided to go to Kanyakumari for a picnic.. The plan was to go to Dharwad first and then to Kanyakumari. So they went there. Then they went to Bangalore and took a train to Kanyakumari. On way, when they reached Nagarkoilthey heard that there were riots and the train would not go further. As most who had boarded the train were locals they quickly disappeared and these three were stranded. As they were wondering what to do a porter appeared from nowhere and said come on I will take you to a Hotel. He picked up their luggage and took them to the hotel and asked the owner to feed them. He left telling them that he would come tomorrow and put them on the train. He appeared the next day morning and took them to the station and saw to it that they were on the train. When they wanted to pay him he was to be seen nowhere. They feel it was Swami Vivekananda who had come to help them.   For her a moment to be cherished.

30. Dattatray Darshan and Puranpoli

Contributed by: Dr. Raghunath Boradkar

Thousand Moon: Shrimati Padma Pandurang Bendre is over 81 yrs. Lives in Dharvad, Karnatak, India.

As she says she must have been 4 or 5 years old. She along with her older sister had been to Gangapur with her Parents. The parents both religious were there for a ritual, A Parayan (reading of a religious book) Of “Gurucharitra Pothi”. She and her older sister used to play together, go to school together and be in each other’s company most of the time. Their staple food was mostly rice.

It so happened one day that a rich man was offering Madhukari (food offered by well-to-do folks to poor students, pilgrims etc.) to all and was giving Puranpoli and rice etc. Her older sister suggested to her that she should go for Madhukari and get the Puranpoli. As she says she was very young and so did not mind or say did not feel awkward and went to get the madhukari. But then as luck would have it, looking at her the man offered her only rice as she was small. Disappointed she was back feeling bad and started eating the rice. But to their surprise a man appeared from nowhere and said ' You wanted Puranpoli isn’t it? Here it is, have it.' By the time they relished it the man disappeared. They felt it was God Dattatreya who assumed the form of that man. Lord Dattatreya gave them  'Darshan'.  This she considers the happiest moment.

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.

27. Herculian task to wake her up from her nap...

Interviewee: Ushatai (84 yrs), Interviewer: Vasant Kelkar (81 yrs) Date: Aug 18^th, 2011

Ushatai had visited Vasant Kelkar and his wife with her daughter at their Pune residence.

She has lived a happy fulfilling life. Although she had three daughters and a son she always secretly wished that she could give a brother to her elder son then all the siblings would have brothers and sisters. (What a noble thought!) One of her happy memories is when her younger son was born. She had gotten her wish and now the family was complete.

She also very fondly narrated an incident that happened when she had come home after delivering her youngest son. It was afternoon time and she was taking a nap. The neighbor had returned from running errands and wanted the house key that normally would be left with Ushatai for convenience of the other family. Ushatai was so fast asleep that the neighbor had to perform herculean task just to wake Ushatai up from her deeeeep nap.

Ushatai still remembers the incidence that brings a smile to her face even today!

26. Gita-Running Competition -By K.S. Ramachandran

Some of you, my fellow octogenarians of India, might recall how our country celebrated the Silver Jubilee of King George V’s reign in the year 1935. The metropolitan cities were all lit up and thousands of people went round the cities enjoying the festive celebrations. In fact, during those days, I remember our Young India Boy Scouts sang “God Save the King” in the evening every day when the Union Jack Flag was lowered for the night.

Yet barely four years later, in 1939, the same Scout group put away the Union Jack forever and replaced it by the Congress National Flag, and sang “Jana Gana Mana” instead. The mood of the country was changing and the anticipation of Independence began to dawn with increasing brightness.

It was in this background that in 1941, an ICS officer named Sri Ramachandran (a namesake of mine) reckoned that the country would gain its freedom in the year 1957. It was daring of him to openly speculate on the withdrawal of British imperialism, even while he was serving it.

He said that he would give a prize to the boy who would be very good in his studies as well as in sports. To pick out the best boy under these criteria, he wanted to hold a competition in reciting the Bhagavad Gita. The three best candidates would be asked to run a 1957-yard race. The length of the race track was to signify the year of India’s liberation. The ultimate winner in that race would get the “Gita-Running prize,” which he was instituting.

It was an eccentric idea. All the boys of our school declared it a crazy and impossible combination.

I was the favorite of my Sanskrit teacher. He ordered me to participate. While I figured I could manage the recitation part of the competition, I was under no illusion of making a mark in running races. I was quite roly-poly, nicknamed “Glaxo Baby” by my classmates and must have looked like a young elephant. I thought I would be quite ridiculous in any running event. But the teacher brushed aside all my pleadings and forced me to join.

True to everyone’s expectations, I did well in the recitation event and qualified for the race. The other two successful boys were Ramaswamy and Subramanian. They were regular sportsmen, whose specialty was long jump and high jump respectively. The fact that they were not winners of running races was no consolation for me, as they were lean and lanky.

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of,” I told myself. I prayed that I might put up some semblance of competition to those two guys.

The date for the race was fixed about four weeks after the recitation competition and it was to be on a Sunday. My two classmates used to go to the school playground every morning and practice running, trying to keep trim and fit. They consulted the School Physical Director (PD) about the right pace, the right breathing technique and the right strategy and so forth.

I did no such thing, as I knew that all this was futile in my case. I never believed I stood a ghost of a chance of winning.

Come the fateful D-Day, I noted with satisfaction that there were no spectators except the PD and a friend of his. The PD was tickled pink to see me bravely showing up for the running race. He grinned widely and said a few pseudo-Sanskrit words, invented by him, pretending he was wishing me all the good luck in the world in that classical language. I let it pass.

Soon the whistle was blown and the Great Race started. A very bizarre idea suddenly took possession of my mind. “Anyway I am going to lose, why not lead for a few laps by a good margin?” So I broke into a gallop, of which a thoroughbred Derby horse would have been proud.

Startled by the wide gulf developing between them and me, Ramaswamy and Subramanian came charging up behind me. The PD had said that there should be only a yard or two between the competitors and that the final burst of energy should be reserved for the last 400 yards. They caught up with me at the first hundred-yard line and fell in step with me, keeping the gap exactly one yard and two yards respectively, as prescribed.

I was delighted to continue as the lead runner even after the first hundred yards, even if the pace of our running was rather pedestrian. This was more than what I had expected. Every now and then, when I had regained my breath, I made a sudden and uncalled for sprint for 20 or 30 yards, faithfully mirrored behind me by my two friends. 

In this manner the uneven, jerky race was run for three rounds.

The last four hundred yards were to be the most sensational. Who would overtake whom? Who would cross the winning line first? This eventful stretch would decide.

I was still in the lead and wanted to speed up to maintain it. But my legs had got accustomed to my lumbering jog of the first three rounds and would not change their pace. I got resigned to the idea of losing in the final stretch.

But, lo and behold, how amazing! My contestants discovered that all their measured steps and their four weeks of training had gone haywire by my unorthodox fits of trot, canter and gallop. Their legs also refused to obey their fervent wish to accelerate. No speeding up, no overtaking! We finally crossed the winning post in the same order in which we began the race, with me in the lead!

The PD declared that he had never seen a running race finish in such slow motion as he had witnessed that day. In his opinion, any tortoise or snail could have easily overtaken us. A most unkind cut, don’t you agree?

Some days later, at a ceremonial function, I was awarded the “Gita-Running Prize” costing Rs. 10. Two books of that value were given to me. To me they were priceless. They were Gandhi Ji’s “My experiments with truth” and Swami Vivekananda’s speeches. They still adorn my library in Gurgaon.

This was surely one of my least anticipated victories.  I recall this episode often, relating as it does to one of the most enjoyable periods of my life, namely my school days. And when I do, I cannot help seeing an underlying parallel between my willingness to attempt the seemingly impossible – and the growing momentum in those times to secure our country’s liberation.

25. A doctor was needed in the family...

Ganesh Joshi

Interviewee: Ganesh Joshi, Interviewer: Rohini, in person, Date: June 11^th, 2011

It was late afternoon in Mumbai around 4:00PM. It had been raining heavily for the past couple of days. I had explained my thousand full moon project to the Joshi couple and they were expecting me. I entered a simple living room with two chairs and two spreads by two different walls to sit on the ground.

Age: 82 yrs

Birth Place: Palgadh, Ratnagiri, India

Background information:  Ganesh Joshi lived in Palgadh till the age of 12 and then moved to Khed for further schooling. After 10^th grade went to Dapoli and then to Mumbai’s Ruyya college up to intermediate.  Since his elder brother had lost some of his new born children to Infantile Liver Cirrhosis, his father wanted him to pursue medical profession. So Gajanan chose to study Ayurved the ancient Indian Medicine in Pune India. His older brother gave him Rs. 5000 for his studies that were to last for four and a half years. He managed to save Rs. 1000 as he was frugal and lived in a shared room and cut expenses where ever possible. When he finished his school his brother had already made arrangements for him to start his own dispensary in Dapoli. Although he was a doctor, life was hard yet happy. Since his practice was in the rural area he had to walk for miles to go see a patient. At times he had to take a ferry, a bus and walk long distances. His fee per house call was Rs.15. He remembers have spent entire day just to go visit one patient and come back.

He practiced till the age of sixty and now lives a retired life with his wife of over fifty years.

After I collected all the background information was still looking for one particular memory where he would light up, become passionate and lose himself in the old times while narrating it. I got it when we were talking about the time when his children (two sons and a daughter) were very young. Ganesh Joshi was narrating…

I remember when my daughter, my youngest was three months old. She had gotten very sick with lose motions and vomiting. We had tried everything but nothing seemed to work. She became skin and bones as she could not retain any food in her stomach. The ladies in the house were very sad. I remember that night when I said to my wife “I don’t think she will see tomorrow” My wife started to cry…and I don’t know what came over me but I suddenly said we have to keep her on butter milk….and we did. That was the turning point! She started to tolerate little butter milk at a time and slowly returned back to health.

Ganesh was lost in bitter sweet memories and so was his wife. There was a peaceful silence in the room. It was still raining outside and the door opened. In came his daughter now in her forties….”We were just talking about you” His wife said to her daughter and everyone in the room visibly relaxed!

24. He walks with his head...

                                          Photograph of a rangoli done by

Gajanan (Bhai)

Interviewee: Bhai Kulkarni, Interviewer: Rohini, In person, Date: 12^th June’11

Age: 82 yrs

Birth Place: Shrivardhan, Maharashtra, India

When I reached Bhai’s residence, it was around 11:00 AM. It was a hot summer morning.  Bhai and his wife greeted me at the door with immense warmth and affection.  After the initial pleasantries, we all sat down, and I proceeded with my interview.

Bhai was seated in his comfortable computer chair and had the air of a king sitting on his throne. He and his wife were very enthusiastic about narrating interesting memories and anecdotes from their years of precious experiences.

Bhai lived in Shrivardhan till English-fifth grade, completed sixth grade in Roha, and moved to Mumbai where he completed his education till Intermediate college. He had to forego the opportunity to attend Medical College due to a shortage of funds. He accepted a job as a medical representative which later became his career.  

Till the age of five Bhai was a rickety child with a big head,  big belly, and skinny limbs. As a baby he used to move around in a peculiar way to overcome the lack of strength in his limbs; he would put his head on the floor first and then propel his body forward. This earned him a title of ‘the boy who walks with his head’ but later the name took on a different meaning as Bhai emerged as an intellectual with a passion for the arts and music. Other than raising a beautiful family and accomplishing a successful career, Bhai started discussion forums for seniors and invited medical experts to answer the questions and guide the group. He worked for social/voluntary organizations and arranged memorable musical and cultural programs. This brought him in contact with some renowned artists over the years.

The memory I have chosen to document here is the one when Bhai was living in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur Medical college would host a Medical conference every year. Bhai would participate in many different ways and one way was to draw big ‘Rangolis’ (Sand paintings) on the college premises as part of the inauguration ceremony exhibits that would accompany the conference. (Over the years, Bhai has won much recognition for his Rangoli’s from prominent personalities.) One year, a well known doctor from Australia was the chief guest at the conference. Bhai had acquired a black and white photograph of the doctor’s eight month old son and had decided to do that year’s Rangoli depicting the baby boy. Bhai did the Rangoli in color. When the Australian doctor inaugurated the conference he visited each exhibit. When he came to the Rangoli drawing of his Baby boy done by Bhai he was overjoyed to see his baby’s picture in form of a big Rangoli. He literally danced with joy to see the picture come to life and before moving on to the next exhibit he asked Bhai, “How did you know that my boy had green eyes?” That was an unforgettable moment for Bhai. He had simply guessed the color of the Baby’s eyes and it was a perfect match! What a coincidence……

A very fulfilling and Magical moment for this accomplished man who still walks with his head!

In Bhai's own words about his rangolis:

Rangoli Picture drawn by G.M.Kulkarni (top of the page), of the son of Australian Urosurgeon who had come to Jaipur for All India Urologists Conference. That Urosurgeon had a glimpse of his son after three weeks. He was very much surprised by looking at exact green colour of the iris of the child’s eyes. In fact the artist was given a Black and White Photo of the child. It was just a chance the colour of the child’s iris matched in his picture. This coloured photo was taken by that urosurgeon and he was kind enough to send a coloured copy of the child’s Rangoli Picture to me from Australia.

Please note the impression of sweater design, its stiching on the child’s shoulder and also the frill of the child’s frock around his neck.

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Rangoli Picture of a child Ram drawn by G.M.Kulkarni in Jaipur in the year 1960. Child Ram was in the arms of his mother Kausalya. But within 4 decades the original photograph was torn and only the remanant part is shown above. There was no coloured photography that time. So this a Black and White Photo.

Please look at the expressions of child Ram in his eyes and shaded portion of his hair.

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Thank you Bhai for sharing your great art...

23. I had the honor of worshiping Lakshmi-Narayan thirty three times

Maii (Kamal Vasant Medhekar)

Interviewee: Kamal Vasant Medhekar, Interviewer: Alka Medhekar at her residence, Date: June, 2011

Alka, Maii’s daughter-in-law jotted down the facts as Maii spoke.

Age: 82 yrs

Birth Place: Bilimora, Gujrath, India

My name is Kamal Vasant Medhekar knee Kamal Dattatray Deshpande. My father passed away when I was very young so I grew up in my maternal uncle’s house. Since it was a joint family I got used to being around a lot of people.  It was a good thing as my in-laws family was also very big. I was also in the habit of doing a lot of physical work. This also helped me in my life later on.

I got married in 1942. Initially it was very busy. We had a lot of responsibilities. But as time passes and the responsibilities were fulfilled life took on a steady pace…One day I had an idea that I wanted to honor 33 married couples what are called the ‘Mehuns’ in our tradition.

I mentioned my thought to my husband and he also liked the idea. We mobilized our resources and got to work towards the implementation of the idea. It happened in 2007. We invited 33 married couples for lunch and honored them by washing their feet and giving them gifts. I believe I had the good fortune of worshiping lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi 33 times. It was a grand family function and a touching ceremony.  It was deeply carved in my memory and I can never forget it…

I am content and happy to spend my remaining days with the help of such cherished memories.

[Note about 'Mehun': The Hindu calendar is a lunar calendar. Each lunar month has 28 days and is shorter than the Solar month. To adjust the lunar calendar with the solar calendar every three years, there is an additional month in the lunar calendar. This month is called ‘adhik maas’ literally means ‘an additional month’. This adjustment has a story associated with it. The additional month ‘adhik maas’ was very unhappy as it had no legitimate name. It took its complaint to God Vishnu. God Vishnu thought about the problem and gave his own name “Purushottam” meaning ‘best among men’ to the additional month and also directed the people on Earth to honor their daughters and sons-in-law as Vishnu and Lakshmi’s incarnations on the Earth during this month. As a result a lot of people invite and honor their daughters and their husbands or married couples in general during this month. Each such couple is called ’Mehun ‘]