The Thakur Clan…
It was during the 5 day budget session of Maharashtra Government that I met a long lost friend MLA Kshitij Thakur from Nalasopra, at Vidhan Bhavan and instantly it was decided then and there that we need to ‘catch up soon’. Then, in the midst of this Lok Sabha elections and the fever surrounding it, I thought what better way than to connect with the Thakurs of Vasai to Virar, a part of Mumbai MMR, for the unknown. As I always believe, what Deshmukhs are to Latur, Pawar’s are to Baramati and Pune, Patil’s are to Sangli and Kolhapur, Vikhe are to Ahmednagar, Ganesh Naik to Navi Mumbai, it is the same when I say, Thakurs are to Vasai-Virar and vice-versa…
I had decided to meet Kshitij and since I was going to Virar after years, I called up Vicky, a common friend between us, who lives nearby to me, and who has been a part of Thakur family now for more than 18 years,to arrange for the same. Yes, Vicky is like one of Thakur’s family members now… I called up Vicky, and our meeting was fixed. Since my work takes me to the towny part of Mumbai, for me to travel to Virar was like a picnic. My wife knew what may come I would surely drive down. But Vicky, who has been going to Virar every day of his life, opted for an option which I dreaded. He said let’s go by train which will help us save 2 hours minimum one way. I almost had a panic attack as it would be after eons I would step in a Mumbai local. I kept my wallet in my front pocket of the denims and the fear of me being manhandled in a crowded Virar fast made me really nervous.
But Vicky showed me what I thought was something extremely different. He took me in an AC train in which I could sit very comfortably and yes the AC in the Train took me to Switzerland..yes, those who don’t believe, travel by an AC local train in Mumbai in a non-peak hour. Anyway, Borivali came and suddenly Vicky who was accompanying me, his back was tapped and a young Doctor couple sat next to us. Any guesses who they were? It was Jayendra ‘Bhai’ Thakur’s elder daughter Dr Priyanka and her husband Dr Suchit Mahale. Such a humble family…I loved the way, especially when we crossed Dahisar, how Dr Suchit started to pray at Maa Jivdani, which is a ritual to him and not for him but for his patients to recover fast…What a lovely couple…
Came Virar and the air said it, Welcome to the Home of the Thakur’s…From Vasai to Virar, the Thakur’s are the emperors here; not in literal sense but the public of these towns have coined them with this moniker…But it wasn’t a cake walk for them…We all know the ‘history’ of Thakur’s…But imagine the efforts, pain, struggles, this entire family must have taken to wipe out that chapter of the history and only devote themselves to various social causes and service to the people now. The hospitals, schools, colleges, numerous social services this family does, will put any “Dharmatama” to shame. Yes, this is the only family in the HISTORY of Maharashtra who does not side with any particular person or party. Such is their hold in that entire region till Palghar, that the parties be it Shivsena or Congress or NCP or the BJP everyone has to ‘visit’ them to ask for support. Having said this you should meet the family to know the family. Recently when one of the family members of Kshitij was facing trying times, Kshitj did not see the face of his new born daughter who was born in the US, till the trying times were over….Such is the principle of the Thakur’s….Family and Unity go hand-in-hand…And yes, again saying this, when you meet them, you will JUSt not come to know who is the real brother, who is the first cousin and who is the second cousins…All just behave like one big unit; the love and respect is to admire for all of us…touchwood!
When I reached Kshitij’s office, which is in the compound of Viva School and College, hundreds of people had gathered to meet the family— who without fail come every single day to meet “their” people. It is not easy to manage all these things if you aren’t meeting people of your constituency and the best part is none of the visitors has to wait for more than 3 minutes to meet. The doors of every cousin who are handling various works are open for all and everyone is greeted with Tea, a sweet, a cool drink, and “say Namaste to your family” when the person is satisfied and on his way out of Kshitij’s cabin…Respect is not demanded by this Thakur family here, it is given by the people to them…
Fortunately or call it my luck, Vicky, who has been with the family for years now, says Vikrant you were lucky to meet as many brothers and cousins of Kshitij on one single day which even the biggest Minister of our state can’t do. The reason for all the family members including children to turn up was the Birthday of “Chiku” aka Siddharth Thakur who is heading the Yuva Vikas Aghadi…Now this man is totally different. On his birthday it so happened that the “Palkhi” was to reach Shirdi…This is where just 2.5 kms away from Sai Baba’s Mandir this family has built a structure which can house 1000’s of people and arrangement is made to eat 3 meals each day for the people coming with the Palkhi…It is provided free of cost…Chiku was headed there after meeting a few thousands of people in front of me who had got cake and wanted to be photographed on occasion of his birthday…But he did not forget to touch feet of every cousin brother of his, before he, including a few other cousins left for Shirdi…
Now came the time, when everyone stood silent when we heard “Kasa Aahes Re” (How are you, addressing someone)…It was Appa aka Hitendra Thakur, father of ‘Kshitij’ who had walked in the premises for his daily meet and greet with janta…If the sons and nephews sit in cabins, Appa still prefers his chair and arm rest in an open veranda with chairs lined up in front of him for those who wish an audience with him…I have seen Appa speak in Vidhan Sabha and mind you when he speaks your heart is thumping with the voice and the depth of it!! As soon as Vicky got me introduced to Appa as a journalist, Appa’s one stare and glare was enough for me to know that ‘media’ is not liked here much because they don’t want their works to be ‘advertised’…
As soon as I told Appa, that I am Hemant Joshi’s son, Appa’s eyes lit up and for 5 minutes he remembered and told us about my fathers writing…Appa said, “Your father has literally slaughtered so many big people who did wrong with his pen, and hence he was my friend because as he never got scared to report”…Immediately Appa himself stored mine and Baba’s number in his personal phone and I was asked to dial baba’s number…Appa in a 4 minute call with my father remembered olden days and asked Baba to visit him in Virar to relieve those days again…Generally I don’t touch feet of anyone, but when I saw the way Appa spoke to me and Baba, I just went to touch his feet, but instead I was stopped by him and my shoulder was patted with blessings…
What a day of my life…I can write more and more, I just messaged Kshitij thanking him for the warm welcome he extended and hugged Vicky for getting it done…I promised them to come once a month just to see if I can be that 0.1% of the person what they are and the learn the art of giving back to the society, from the Thakurs…
Vikrant Hemant Joshi.
