Silent achievers

Siddharth Chavan,a rickshaw owner and spokesperson of the Rickshaw Panchayat,Chavan has been driving on the streets of Pune for the last 27 years. “I used to work in a cloth mill but when that shut down,rickshaw driving came to my rescue,” he recounts. He speaks proudly of his daughter,a student of Fergusson College and his son,who is a member of the Under-16 cricket team. “In our family,it’s Hum Do Hamare Do all the way,” he jokes. Shivaji Bhaat began work in the PMC Water Department in 1979 and now heads a team of 65 workers. Not only that,nobody in the office goes anywhere without asking him as his experience is highly valued and he claims to know the water supply of Pune better than the engineers themselves. “Since the increase in the number of workers in 90s,things have become easier as the workload has shifted. This has given us the chance to spend quality time with our families. I have prioritised the education of my children. My son runs a canteen,my elder daughter is a lawyer and the younger is studying computer engineering,” he smiles,with his eyes clearly glowing with pride.

Having come to the city from Nagpur in 1991,Sahebrao Bachhav got a job as an MSEB lineman. After 18 years in the job he was promoted in 2006 to the position of line foreman. “All these years have taught me the working of the whole electricity line. My subordinates and I are also available round the clock by telephone at the Nagar Road office,” he says proudly.

Ramesh Bhosale’s profession is not one anybody would take up by choice. “Dire circumstances forced my brother and me to take up the job of cremating people. We have the tender of the Vaikunth Samshan,where we conduct last rites. And now,after 30 years of this work,I have no option either,” says Bhosale. What is truly inspirational is that Bhosale still finds the heart to provide free wood for abandoned bodies.

Since his arrival in Pune in 1972,Dashrath Khurangude’s life has been a roller-coaster ride. Having gotten a job as a sewage worker in 1982,10 years after first applying to the Employment Exchange — he was posted at Pavale Chowk,Kasba Peth from where he got transferred to Vishrantwadi.

“Now I travel 16 kms by cycle everyday. I worked at Vishrantwadi for around 12 years. Further transfer sent me to Somvar Peth,where I worked for about 15-16 years. I feel proud and content when I am tagged as the authority on the sewage systems of Rasta Peth,Somvar Peth and Mangalwar Peth. They all call me Bua. It feels nice,” he smiles.

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