Maharashtra Archives - Page 2 of 2

How is the life of Sachin Tendulkar’s biggest fan?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

Being a fan of a sportsman can be an exhilarating experience filled with moments of joy, excitement, and pride. Fans may have a deep admiration for the sportsman’s skills, achievements, and contributions to the sport. Most of us are fans of one or more sportsmen in our lifetime.

While most fans discuss dedicate a significant amount of time and energy to following a sportsman’s career, staying updated on news and developments, and defending their legacy against detractors, very few go to the extent of meeting their idol. When I heard that there was a fan of Sachin Tendulkar who had gone onto get tweeted by Sachin himself, I couldn’t help but go and meet him. What must have gone on in the mind of a Sachin Tendulkar fan that he went all the way to meet his idol?

During my cross-country cycling tour across India, I had the incredible opportunity to meet Ameya Bhagwat, a devoted fan of Sachin Tendulkar and the owner of the most subscribed Sachin fan page. Ameya’s life has been profoundly impacted by his admiration for Sachin. In fact, his journey with Sachin’s inspiration led him to transform his physical health, going from 135 kg to 65 kg.

Ameya is an exceptionally humble individual who not only runs his own gaming zone cafe but also works as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. He has a strong passion for service and focuses on providing food that promotes a healthy gut microbiome. Throughout our conversation, he exuded positive energy and shared his belief in the notion that everything in life is written and unfolds according to a greater plan.

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How is the life of a psychiatrist who runs an old age home in India?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

The life of a psychiatrist in India can be challenging and demanding. Psychiatrists often face heavy workloads due to the increasing demand for mental healthcare services in the country. In India, there is a shortage of mental health professionals, leading to a high patient-to-doctor ratio. This shortage puts significant pressure on psychiatrists, who must often handle a large number of cases, leaving them with limited time for each patient.

Moreover, the stigma surrounding mental health in India can present additional challenges. Many people hesitate to seek help for mental health issues, leading to delayed or inadequate treatment (Read this article). Psychiatrists may need to invest time and effort in educating the public and breaking down the barriers associated with seeking mental health support.

During my journey, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Animesh Chavhan, MD, a psychiatrist, who provided me with valuable insights into the challenges faced by psychiatrists and their involvement in mental health wellness programs. Despite being a man of few words, Dr. Chavhan’s responses were direct, honest, and to the point, which was refreshing.

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How is the life of a person who has travelled India on foot, cycle, and vehicle

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

Travelling India by any means would be incredibly diverse and rewarding. The journey provides a unique opportunity to experience the vast cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of India. The person travelling would have interacted with people from different regions, religions, and backgrounds, gaining insights into the rich tapestry of Indian society. While travelling by foot or by cycle provides a more intimate connection with the surroundings, enabling one to appreciate the smaller details and observe the local way of life up close, using vehicles and other transport systems would provide a faster and more efficient mode of travel, offering the chance to cover greater distances and explore remote areas that might be challenging to reach by foot or cycle alone.

During my all-India cycle tour, I had the opportunity to meet Dipak Belwalkar, a seasoned traveler who has extensively explored the country. Interacting with him revealed the extraordinary life he has led. Despite being 53 years old, he continues to embark on journeys, devoting nearly half of the year to travel. Engaging in conversation with him provided unexpected insights that broadened my perspective about why one decides to travel.

So, how is the life of an individual who has travelled India on foot, cycle, and vehicle?

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How is the life of a district-level award-winning teacher?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

The respect that teachers demand has faded over time thanks to private sectors and tutorials that are run in every street of major cities. There are, however, school teachers who are still respected for their profession rather than looked at as mere employees in the work sector.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the privilege of meeting Mr Tanaji Salaskar who is a school teacher in Malewad village in Sawantwadi district of Maharashtra. Apart from being the physical education teacher at the school, he is also the maths teacher there, handling classes for 8, 9, and 10th-grade students.

I accidentally happened to stumble upon him when I approached his house members requesting to pitch a tent outside for the night. I was warmly invited to stay inside the house and was taken care of like a family member. When I got to learn that he had multiple awards to his name in sports and also the best teacher award in the district, I was curious to know what the life of such a person could be.

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How is the life of a roadside cycle repair shop owner in India?

4 Comments / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

Cycle repair stores by the street side are almost non-existent today. Only the ones that have been set up since a long time ago continue to operate. These shops are turning obsolete as larger businesses are taking over the cycling industry in India. Despite this, there are people from previous generations who continue to run these stores in cities.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Balasodinkar More, who has been operating a small cycle store in Kolhapur city for the past 30+ years. No amount of searching to get my cycle stand fixed for one entire month in major shops across cities helped me have the problem rectified.

I approached this old man close to 60 years of age sitting by the roadside with the wheel in his hand with great reluctance. I had absolutely no hope that he would even look at the problem. But to my surprise, he not only took a look but decided to put his hand into it. He took an hour time to fix the issue. He sweated so much that his spectacles were filled with it. That didn’t deviate his focus one little bit from the problem. All the while, I patiently waited without hinting to him that he may not be able to do it. He eventually rectified the problem and requested only 100 rupees.

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How is the life of artists who carve realistic idols in Karnataka and Maharashtra

2 Comments / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

Art can be portrayed in multiple forms over a range of subjects. The same subject can again be expressed in multiple ways through different arts. Art and subject are tied hand in hand. There is no art without a subject. Of the many arts that exist, carving realistic idols is one. This concept has been used well to portray the subject of the rich Indian history and natural farming at a museum in Maharashtra’s Kaneri mutt. Being a visionary, Kadu Siddeshwar Swamiji who is the Swamiji at the mutt has allowed artists to display their skills by carving realistic idols that depict our past and how important the protection of the environment is.

People visit this place from all around the country to take a walk inside an entire village carved from cement by a group of 18 artists. Preserving the Indian culture and promoting natural farming is the subject on which the art stands.

On my all-India cycle tour, I resided in Kaneri Mutt for two nights during which I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting two artists. Manjunath Bhopdappa Bavikatti and Venkatesh Govindappa. Their work mesmerized me to such an extent that I wanted to listen to them and understand what went on in their lives that allows them to make art of such high quality.

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How is the life of a lady who completes her education after having her first kid in India?

1 Comment / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

For some of us, attaining education is a way of life, while for many it is a privilege. This is the thing I learnt from speaking with the lady who completed her education after having her first kid. Rural parts of India still fail to see women being well-educated. Those especially brought up in tough situations skip it entirely.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the pleasure of meeting Maheshwari Chougule who completed her education despite all odds and situations turning against her. The best part is that she did it without even realizing that she when through hardships. She accepted them so wholeheartedly that she didn’t find any of the situations hard.

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How is the life of an electronics and Home appliances shop owner in India?

3 Comments / Maharashtra, People / Asutosh

Several times we walk into a home appliances store to get household materials. We tend to purchase the required materials, bargain as much as possible with the store owner, and walk out without giving the slightest thought to why the shop owner only decided to open a home appliances store and none other.

On my all-India cycle tour, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting Saibanna Ingle sir from the Sawantwadi district of Maharashtra who is the owner of a home appliances store. I learnt that to be able to set up a home appliances store, the person has to be in the field for long enough to learn the tricks of the trade, understand the mentality of the customer, and take the right actions at the right time. All of these only come with experience and majorly experiences of struggles which any of us are blind to.

Speaking with Saibanna Ingle sir who saw my cycle, handed me 500 rupees wished me for my journey, and even offered me food, I learnt about the struggles of his life. So, how is the life of an electronics and Home appliances shop owner in India?

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