A Memorable Trip to Pune

 

A Memorable Trip to Pune

In my last blog, I gave some glimpses of my trip to Pune on August 13-15 and promised to write a detailed report of my memorable trip to Pune. I visited Pune on the kind invitation of Social Studies Foundation (SSF), an newly floated outfit to engage itself in study and research on matters of interest and concern to the ‘discriminated and depressed’ segments of the society and create a ‘positive narrative’ for the empowerment and progress with the motto “Knowledge for Empowerment. It will not be out of place to thank my friend Dr. Varinder Garg of Chandigarh who referred and introduced me to SSF. The main purpose of the visit was to release the special issue – Silent Contributors of Modern India  - of the newly launched mouthpiece of the SSF “The Unheard Voices” and speak on the theme ‘Role and contribution of depressed classes in the freedom struggle and nation building’ to celebrate the 75^th
anniversary of our Independence. I accepted the kind invitation of SSF and reached Pune, a historical and cosmopolitan city of the Peshwas and builders of modern India like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Bal Gangadhar Tilak among others in the morning of August 13.  Jitendra Pawar of SSF, well placed professional and businessman, received me at the airport called Lohagaon, a military airbase also used as a civil airport in the outskirts of Pune, a city of more than 32 lakh habitants, second only to Mumbai in the state of Maharastra.

Jitendra suggested taking a quick breakfast in a 70 years old and famous South Indian restaurant ‘Vaishali’ in the heart of the town before checking into the Hotel Centro nearby. We could get a table in a packed to capacity eatery. The Mysore Masala Dosha with a large coffee was really satisfying. I was all the more happy as Vaishali is

also the name of my daughter. Again on in the morning of August 15, we thought of going to Vaishali for breakfast. But it was not to be as on reaching there, we found that a big crowd of young boys and girls and also families were queuing outside to find a table inside. I was told that it was nothing special and it was the daily scene. I was told that Puneites (Punewalas) love to eat outside and the city was full of small and big eateries. My hosts treated me to special Marathi Thali and special dishes like Masala Bhaat, Puran Poli (Sweet Prantha with added sprinkling of pure ghee, Mutton curry with Bakhadi (millet tandoori roti) among others over several meals. I found that many of the traditional dishes were similar as we have in rural Punjab.  

With a view to use my time profitably while in Pune, I had suggested to my hosts to fix engagements/visits to some of the places/persons I would like to visit along with the main programme of the SSF on August 14 which included; Ambedkar Museum and Memorial, Jyotiba Phule Memorial, Dalit Chamber of Commerce, Aga Khan Palace and my interest injoining them at the Independence Day celebrations etc. My SSF hosts imaginatively could get two important slots for me:-

Visit to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial at the Symbiosis Society – My visit to this important landmark on the map of Pune in the afternoon of August 13 was a rewarding experience. Director of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial, Smt. Sanjivani Majumdar personally received and conducted me to the iconic landmark spread over 2 acres of prime land in the heart of the city. The foundation stone of the memorial was laid on April 14, 1990 by the then CM Sharad Pawar and finally inaugurated on November 26, 1996 by President K.R. Narayanan. The premises is called “Prerana Bhumi” which hosts Museum, Memorial and Library in the name of the greatest son of India, Babasaheb Amedkar at one place with – 280 artifacts, 190 photos and 490 rare books and

manuscripts donated by the wife of Babasaheb, Dr. Maisaheb Savita Ambedkar to the Symbiosis Society for the purpose. I must write that the Museum, Memorial and Library is a befitting tribute to the memory of the great reformer, leader and visionary, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It was a pilgrimage for me to pay obeisance in reverence. I was personally touched by the kind gesture of honour bestowed on me by offering me a Shawal, Babasaheb’s Bust and Mahamanav – a Photo Biography and brief biography of Babasaheb compiled and written by no other but Director Sanjivani Majumdar herself. I will keep and preserve these mementos as a cherished memory of my visit in the years to come. Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Founder and President of Sympoisis and an eminent educationist and also administrator has correctly written in the brochure of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Memorial, “One of the objectives of this museum and memorial is to introduce Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who initiated the movement of social justice and equality in India to the foreigners well as Indian students so as to inspire them when they return to their own home land.”  On my return from Pune, I was further humbled by an e-mail message of Pro Vice Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, Dr. Vidya Yervadekar offering me to join them as visiting faculty at their Symbiosis School of International Studies. Thanks Dr. Vidya Yervadekar.

Independence Day Celebrations at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics – I joined the students and faculty of Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics on the 75^th Independence Day Celebrations on August 15, an auspicious and joyous occasion. I did not know that a big honour was to fall on me. On reaching the congregation, after a brief courtesy call on Prof. Rajas Parchure, RBI Professor of Finance of the Institute, Prof. Parchure humbled me a great deal by declaring me as the Guest of Honour on the occasion

and invited me to garland the statue of Gopal Krishna Gokhale and hoist the Tri-colour. Frankly, I and may be my SSF hosts who arranged the visit did not expect this. The solemn ceremony concluded with joint singing of Jana Gana Mana followed by snacks and hot masala tea. Thanks Prof. Rajas Parchure and his colleagues and my SSF hosts, Vijendra Sonawane and Avinash Mulye. It may be appropriate to mention for the benefit of my readers that Pune is the ‘Hub of IT’ after Bangaluru besides esteemed institutions like Pune University, Gokhale Institute, Fergusson College and University, Symbiosis Group of Institutes, Television and Film Institute among others are located in the beautiful city and is rightly called as the ‘Oxford of the East”.  Convener of Samajik Samarashta Chapter of the RSS, Ravendra Kirkole came to my place of stay for a courtesy meeting to welcome me to Pune. It was nice of him. I found Ravendra a calm and quiet personality with easy demeanor.  He compelled me to think that, perhaps, that was the reason why RSS was holding a unique status in the society at large. The Swayamsevaks are fully dedicated and well trained to carry forward their agenda, one may or may not agree with that. Ravendra Kirkole left me impressed with his simplicity. In the evening of August 13, my host Pramod Gosavi took me to the esteemed Pune University’s well kept and maintained campus, a green lung of the city for a quick detour before the dinner to relish Marathi food.

SSF function to release the special issue of the” Unheard Voices” on August 14 –

The SSF function to release the special issue of the Unherad Voices was held on August 14 on the eve of the 75^th anniversary of our Independence Day at a prestigious venue of the auditorium of Deccan Education Society of Pune, an educational wing of the RSS. It was a well arranged programme. One of the Directors of SSF, Pramod Gosavi in his introductory presentation explained the purposes for which the SSSF was launched and added that the outfit would engage and involve the intellectuals and academics to create ‘a positive narrative’ on the role and contribution of our brethren belonging to the depressed and marginalized sections of the society. It will work as a ‘think tank’ in this regard. Dr. Anil Baisane, an eminent historian and academic with more than 75 books
to his credit released the special issue of the Unheard Voices – Silent Contributors of Modern India. Earlier, the Chief Editor of the E-Magazine, Vijendra Sonawane explained the purpose and rationale of starting the Unheard Voices to give impetus to the information needs of the marginalized segments of the society. He informed that the magazine which was formally launched on April 14, 2021 was received well by the discerning readers. Dr. Anil Baisane, while speaking on the theme ‘Role and Contribution of depressed classes in the freedom movement and nation building, gave an excellent and informative analysis from its historical perspective and said that it was unfortunate that the role played by the heroes belonging to the weaker sections of the society did not get any place in the history books and justify his assertion with reference to the role and contribution of Raja Nayak among others. I as the Chair of the Session congratulated the SSF for bringing out the Unheard Voices and its special issue on ‘Silent Contributors of Modern India” the

cover page of which adorns the photos of the contemporary icons of dalit communities in various spheres of life headed by none else but Babasaheb Ambedkar. Referring to the Mooknayak published by Baasaheb Ambedkar himself in the year 1920, I said that the Unheard Voice will try to fill the vacuum in providing much needed voice to voiceless. Speaking on the theme of the talk, I recalled the role of the Veeranganas including Jhalkari Bai, Adviser of Rani Laxmi Bai in the First War of Independence in 1857 and Kuyili, Brave Commander of Velu Nachirar in 1780, Uda Devi, Helen Savitari, Udham Singh, the warriors of Bhima-Koregaon, Chamar Regiment, Virsa Munda among others. The pioneer role of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Gadri Baba Babu Manguram Mugowalia, Joginder Nath Mandal, Babu Jagjivan Ram, D. Sanjivaya, Dadasaheb B.K. Gaikwad, Babu Kanshi Ram, President KR Narayanan, Justice K.G. Balakrishnan cannot be ignored and I added that the history will take note of their role and contribution in the run up to Independence in 1947 from the colonial rule but also in the development and progress of the country. The function, which was steered by Jitendra Pawar as the Master of Ceremonies, was concluded with the vote of thanks by Director of SSF, Hari Sowani. It was a satisfying and fulfilling experience to meet so many of the elite society of Pune at the fnction.

During my to and fro journey to Chandigarh to catch up with Pune, I enjoyed the hospitality of Sushil and Lovely Sheemar, my fellow BootanMandians, at their spacious and elegant villa in the “The Foothills” of Shivalik Range in the New Chandigarh – a serene and peaceful place to live which is the heavenly abode of senior retired and serving IAS, PCS elite and Judges. Both Sushil and Lovely and also their son Akun were totally caring and kind, as always.