Mr. & Mrs. Bakshi

Allow me to introduce you to a remarkable couple, Bakshi Kaka and Bakshi Kaku. Bakshi Kaka is from Mumbai, where he worked as an Auditor in the National Textile Industry.

A while ago, Bakshi Kaka visited Anandwan as part of an office visit. After returning home, he found himself drawn to Anandwan and its noble mission. He reached out to Dr. Vikas Amate (Vikas Bhau) and expressed his desire to contribute to the cause.

Since 2005, Bakshi Kaka has been residing in Anandwan and working as a staff member. Remarkably, he lived away from his family as they were living in their respective places.

In February 2021, Bakshi Kaku joined him in Anandwan, and the place now has the added joy of this lovely couple's presence. Before they left their home in Mumbai, Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi generously donated all their belongings to an orphanage. Now, near the entrance of the Loti Raman Guest House, you'll find a beautiful home, the abode of Mr. and Mrs. Bakshi. Kaka lovingly refers to their home as a toll plaza for every guest entering Loti Raman.

At 73 years young, Bakshi Kaka is not just a friend but a mentor, and he imparted a life mantra to me during our journey. He firmly believes that "happiness can be found in anything, but satisfaction is what you must achieve." What's more, Kaka possesses an in-depth knowledge of all 27 projects at Anandwan.

In the evening, Kaka introduced me to Kaku, one of the sweetest and most peaceful individuals I've had the privilege to meet. Bakshi Kaku, a bundle of happiness and serenity, prepared tea for us, and we delved into meaningful conversations.

Bakshi Kaka and Bakshi Kaku are a testament to compatibility and love. Their belief that "love is not a want; love is something that returns a thousandfold" resonates deeply. Kaku's parenting style is a must-know for today's parents, and I was keen to interview them, although they didn't agree for this time. However, they've promised me an interview during our next meeting. So, consider this blog an introductory one.

Our time together was filled with homely warmth as we shared lunch and dinner. Kaka and Kaku introduced me to many incredible individuals in Anandwan.

Their journey is one of adventure and fulfillment, and they stand as an ideal couple for present-day couples. I owe them a great deal and seek their blessings for a lifetime, sending them all my love.

In the midst of our conversations, Kaka shared an insightful thought: "It's easy to travel when you have money in your pocket, but it's more joyful and vibrant when you travel with no money." What brought them to Anandwan and the story behind this statement? 

We'll soon uncover the incredible journey.

Way to Anandwan.

Around 12:45, the train departed from Kolhapur, and I settled into my seat, ready to embark on this journey. Most of the seats were occupied, but I hadn't interacted with anyone yet. Little did I know that the next 22 hours on the train would gift me a treasure of sweet memories.

Before leaving home, I had made up my mind to revisit Gandhi's autobiography during the train ride, but that plan was quickly disrupted. You see, I was sharing my compartment with some remarkable fellow travelers. There was a senior citizen couple, a college couple, a businessman uncle, and a town planning officer. Our discussions covered a wide array of topics, from food styles to lifestyles, medicinal reforms to tourism, government systems to business strategies, and even family life and the younger generations. The camaraderie was heartwarming.

At Akola station, I decided to order dinner through the Zoop app and enjoyed my dinner. Around 12 a.m. we all slept. In the morning, many of the people I had interacted with the previous night disembarked at their respective stations. It made me reflect on how people come and go in our lives, but their brief presence can leave a lasting impact.

I informed Komal mam about my arrival and first stopped at Wardha station. I tried to have breakfast but ended up having fruits only while I waited for my next train to Warora. The journey from Wardha to Warora was a short one, just about one and a half hours. As I crossed Hinganghat and arrived at Warora station, I booked a rickshaw to Anandwan and let my eyes revel in the joy of the surroundings.

As per Komal mam's instructions, I made my way to the Loti Raman guest house at Anandwan, where I met the caretaker, Madan Dada. After freshening up, I visited the library office and had the privilege of meeting Komal mam in person. There, Madan Dada introduced me to someone who was quietly reading in the office. I shared 'what had brought me to this place'.

He then introduced himself, and I was fortunate to have Bakshi Kaka as my guide during this journey. What made Bakshi Kaka so special that I still cherish his memory? You'll find out soon. 

Stay tuned.

* My Train Booking details : 

1) Kolhapur to Wardha : Kop-Nagpur Exp (11404) : 12.45 - 10.20 (21h 35min)

2) Wardha to Warora : Pune-Kazipet Exp (22151) : 11.20 - 12.35 ( 01h 15min)

3) Warora to Wardha : Kzp-Pune Exp (22152) : 18.19 - 19.45 (01h 26min)

4) Wardha to Kolhapur : Ngp-Kop Exp (11403) : 16.15 - 13.30 (21h 15min)

Why & How ?

Do you remember the time when school lessons seemed like an endless adventure? For me, that adventure was sparked in the 6th standard when I learned about the Amate family and their inspiring journey. It was during this chapter that I stumbled upon the Anandwan project. The more I read about it in newspapers, articles, and books, and the more I heard from people, the stronger my desire grew. At just 12 years old, I was eagerly and thirstily yearning to visit Anandwan.

On a random day in August 2023 when Dr. Arun Shinde Sir, a professor at Night College Kolhapur, shared a notice from Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan about a 5-day camp on Mahatma Gandhi's life. That's when the brainstorming began. I wondered how I could manage my studies, find the time for this approximately 7-day opportunity, and make it truly worthwhile. & ultimately research became my best friend for this.

The word "Wardha" always made me think of "Warora," and suddenly, I saw a way to fulfill my childhood wish while making the most of this travel opportunity. I checked Anandwan's official website, but it showed that the next two months were fully booked. I felt worried and wondered how to solve this dilemma. It was then that I remembered Mr.Deepak Nagargoje Sir, the founder of the Shantivan project in Beed, Maharashtra. I messaged him about my situation, and he kindly shared the contact number of Mr.Rajesh Tajne Sir. I called Tajne sir, and he connected me with Komal mam, who helped me with the booking.

At this point, I couldn't help but marvel at 'how life connects us with people to achieve good things together' !!

As I continued to plan, I reminded myself that Anandwan was a place close to my heart since my childhood, and I wanted to give something back. So, I came up with an idea. I messaged my close relatives and friends, asking them to collect old but good condition clothes and send them to me. I collected a satisfactory amount of clothes and packed them carefully.

The excitement had me a feeling butterflies in my stomach for days. I invested some time in booking my tickets, securing a spot on the Kolhapur-Nagpur Express for 8th September. From there, I decided not to over-prepare for this journey. No Google photos, no mapping, no reviews, and no pre-planning. I simply wanted to immerse myself in the kindness of the atmosphere and understand it on the field.

(Stay tuned as I take you along on this heartfelt journey to Anandwan.)

"Anandwan"

I recently had the incredible opportunity to visit 'Anandwan' in Warora (Chandrapur, MH, Ind.)on September 9th - 10th, 2023. It was a life-altering experience as I had the privilege of meeting remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on my heart. Their stories and wisdom have imparted profound meaning to my life, and I've come to understand the great philosophy of survival. I'm excited to invite you all to be a part of my journey through my upcoming blogs. Anandwan is a profound book of life for me, and I'm eager to unveil its pages one by one, starting tomorrow. Stay tuned. 💫