Chiplun: Fond Reminiscences from the Konkan Shore"

 After finishing my postgraduate studies at Shivaji University, I came back home feeling a mix of joy for reaching another milestone and feeling sad about my father's transfer to Chiplun. Upon my return, my mom informed me that my father had already started his duties in Chiplun, and we would be joining him in about 15 days. For the past eight years, we've called Waranavati Colony our home, and our bond with Manisha Tai, Dipali, and Sharyu ran deep—they were like family to us. Their sadness mirrored our own as we prepared to leave. Together, we've shared countless moments of joy, and it was Manisha Tai who provided solace when we lost our Dada and Fulai.

In front of our residence at Waranawati, there stood a massive tree, and the courtyard was spacious as well. During winter and summer breaks, without fail, we'd assemble under that tree after lunch. Each day brought new topics for discussion. Manisha Tai and Deepali would regale us with tales from their childhood, and in turn, we'd share our own stories. I reminisce about our New Year parties and birthday celebrations. It was rare for us to go to hotels for these occasions, especially considering our limited finances. However, I am confident that the way we organized our New Year parties and birthdays surpassed any luxury of hotels.

Despite having little, we found immense happiness in our lives. Often, we'd exchange various dishes among ourselves. Daji, Manisha Tai's husband, particularly enjoyed the vegetable dishes my mom made, while we couldn't get enough of the numerous delicacies Manisha Tai prepared, especially her idli sambar.

The dreaded day arrived when we had to bid farewell to Waranawati Colony and move to Chiplun. Given the amount of luggage we had and the assistance needed to settle in at our new place, Deepali decided to accompany us. We said goodbye to all our neighbours, unable to hold back our tears, as we had spent nearly eight years of our lives there. Leaving behind the plants of roses, Jasmin, hibiscus we had nurtured in the courtyard was extremely heart-breaking for us.

Our journey started. Upon encountering the grandeur of Kumbharli Ghat for the first time, it felt as though we were facing a blazing dragon amidst the relentless heat of May. The thought of navigating the winding ghat roads for approximately 30 minutes instilled a sense of apprehension within us. However, as we pressed on, the captivating allure of the Konkan region revealed itself like an intricate, captivating artwork. The lush foliage and deep valleys stretched out before us, drawing us into their enchanting embrace and captivating our every sense.

By 7 pm, we arrived in Chiplun. The assistance provided by Chorage Kaka, Daji's friend, was truly unforgettable. We managed to bring all our luggage into our new home. Exhausted as we were, we still found the energy to have dinner before retiring for the night. The following day, we began the task of organizing our belongings. While the house was spacious, it didn't quite compare to the size of our quarters back in Waranawati Colony.

Surrounding our house were towering mango, coconut, and kokam trees, but most notably, right in front of the entrance stood a magnificent jasmine vine casting its enchanting fragrance all around.

It took us two days to organize all our luggage. Baba was eagerly anticipating bringing back some Surmai fish but was waiting for the go-ahead from Mom. Once everything was properly arranged, Mom agreed to let him go. Baba headed to the market, located about 1 km away from our home, and returned with a bounty of Alphonso mangoes and Surmai fish.

Mom skilfully prepared Surmai fry and rassa, creating a truly fantastic dining experience typical of Konkan cuisine. As we savoured the delicious fish, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of Konkan and noticed the distinct language and customs of the locals. Their culinary preferences and festival celebrations differed from ours, but gradually, we found ourselves adapting to these changes as well.

After my results were announced, I achieved a first-class score. My friends made the decision to begin preparing for the SET and NET exams, which were prerequisites for pursuing a career in lecturing. However, I was uncertain whether my parents would permit me to travel to Kolhapur for exam preparation. One day, I mentioned to my mom my friends' plan to go to Kolhapur for SET and NET preparation. Initially hesitant, my mom was reluctant to grant permission. However, after I persisted and explained the importance of group study and the availability of library resources at SUK. Finally she agreed.

Upon my arrival in Kolhapur and inquiring about admission to the ladies' hostel, I was surprised to learn that I needed to enrol in a foreign language course to be eligible for hostel accommodation. This rule caught me off guard and left me feeling anxious. In my moment of distress, I reached out to my gang. Prachi, Mangal, and Vishwanath promptly joined me at our favourite spot, the front side of the Library. Together, we brainstormed solutions. While Prachi and Vishwanath suggested enrolling in the Russian language course, as they had already admitted, I hesitated, reluctant to spend money on a course that held little importance to me at that time.

Mangal came up with the suggestion that I search for rented rooms outside the university, and proposed that Shubhangi and I could share one. This idea resonated with everyone, and we enthusiastically began our search. Eventually, we found a suitable accommodation near CSIBER at Ambai Defence. The assistance provided by Mangal, Prachi, and Vishwanath during this time was invaluable and greatly aided me in initiating my studies.

After getting settled, I began my studies in earnest. In addition to preparing for the SET and NET exams, I also enrolled in the PGCTE program at the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad. This certificate course was conducted in a hybrid mode, with study materials and 33 assignments sent by the university. Participants were required to complete and submit these assignments by post for evaluation by experts. Following the completion of assignments, a one-month face-to-face program was scheduled, which was mandatory to attend. This was followed by a final written exam and peer teaching sessions.

One day, while at the university campus, my friend Ganesh approached me with exciting news—he had been selected for a position at an engineering college in Devrukh. He was currently lecturing at Rajaram College and was preparing to leave his job for this new opportunity. Ganesh suggested that I apply for his position at Rajaram College. Considering my need for both money and teaching experience, I took his suggestion seriously. The very next day, I went to Rajaram College and met with Dr. Kadakane, the head of the English department. Despite feeling nervous, I went through the interview process, and to my surprise, Dr. Kadakane asked me to join from the following day. Ganesh played a crucial role in easing my nerves, providing me with the necessary books and materials, and ultimately convincing me to accept the position.

I'll always remember my first lecture on compulsory English to the F.Y. B.A Class. Rajaram College stood out during that time as the only college with classrooms featuring staircases. As I entered the classroom, I was greeted by a sea of curious and innocent faces. Surprisingly, I found myself even more eager and curious to teach them English than they seemed to learn. Initially, the classroom was bustling with chatter and chaos as the students engaged in conversation amongst themselves. However, as soon as I greeted them confidently and introduced myself, a sudden hush fell over the room, with silence so profound that one could hear a pin drop.

That day, I realised that speaking with a strong and confident voice can empower you to conquer the world.