Journalism of Courage
Vasant Thites brief rendezvous with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was not merely about exchanging smiles or posing for a photograph together. Thite was featured in leading newspapers in March 1988 with a special note of appreciation and an autographed picture by Gandhi for his outstanding work in rangoli art. He cherishes the hand-written letter that Gandhi sent him a few days after their meeting. Thite,a 75-year old retired traffic inspector,has won accolades for his unique rangolis ever since he can remember. Today,his passion has turned into a full-fledged social drive.
Thite and his wife,Suwasini,conduct free rangoli classes for several underprivileged children,physically challenged people as well as for inmates at old age homes. We believe in serving the Almighty,the nation and humankind. Adding a bit of colour in these people’s lives might help them forget their woes for some time at least, Thite says with a smile. The couple has a scooter with a small donation box. Together they have traveled the length and breadth of the state on the two-wheeler to conduct rangoli classes and collect donations that can be used for relief work during natural or man-made calamities. They have previously donated money to charitable institutions,the Prime Ministers Relief Fund and the Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wrote to me after I donated Rs 51,000 for the Kargil war victims and Rs 21,000 for the earthquake, says Thite.
On the completion of 711 years of Dnyaneshwar Samadhi,they organised 711 rangoli exhibitions in temples and schools. They also accompany the palkhi yatra every year from Alandi to Pandharpur and decorate the 240 km stretch with colourful rangolis. On seeing his water rangoli,writer P L Deshpande had sent Thite nine letters while two years back,his 100-ft long rangoli at Haridwar had left Anna Hazare spellbound. Despite such appreciation coming their way,the couple does not want to turn it into a commercial activity. We are happy serving the society this way. Money will take away the good-will attached to our efforts, Thite says. They have also been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the All India Senior Citizens Confederation in Mathura in 2010. An award to acknowledge our efforts gave us the boost to continue doing what we are best at, he says.
