No. 1250
I don’t know
when and from where my forefathers actually came to Pune.. but I have spent my whole
life in this city and for all its attitude and vibe, I love this city J .
I grew up in
Sangamwadi, near Bund Garden road, by the bank of two merged rivers of Pune-
Mula Mutha. I am basically from South America, and ideally a foreigner in this
Indian city. Though having been here for 80 years now, I could get a domicile
certificate!
Having grown
up on the river bank, I don’t think I have missed being at my ancestral
homeland. Mula-Mutha bank has been as loving and giving as probably the Amazon,
where my origin could have been! I have witnessed a lot of human conversations,
stories and parties and also sheltered 1000s through my canopy.
Though, as I
was growing up, I too had my teenage issues. In one of those rebellion streaks
of wanting to find myself, I tried to imitate other native species around and
be like them. But soon realised, how different we were. The fact that they had
more friends (like birds, insects, squirrels) visiting them, was for the simple
fact that all these species connected better with the native trees.
The
introspective phase soon set in and I realised by strengths and learnt to live
with it. I learnt that I can protect a huge number of people from the sun, but none
from the rain (my namesake). I learnt that some birds have adapted to me and
drink the nectar from my flowers, but haven’t yet found me compatible to have
their nests on me. I learnt that I can hold the water during floods,
irrespective of where I am planted. This acceptance of myself, has led to
strengthened bonding with other native species around.
However in the last one month or so, a lot has changed around me. Firstly, a group of people came in and put a number plate on each of us. I got the number ‘1250’.
Didn’t know if
the numbers had any meaning, but most of us got a number. Then machines were
brought in. This machine of some kind
that make huge vibrations and noise came on board. They dumped soil brought in
from elsewhere on our land and then one evening… they did the unthinkable..
They dumped the
soil over my friends. They literally buried them …. In a day, I lost my lifelong
friendships... I couldn’t recognize the place I grew up in. Everything was
changing so rapidly. A mixture called concrete was brought in. This is
apparently a very strong binding material. And it was poured over my friends….
The binding
material, tore apart all my bonds! I don’t know where the birds, insects and
squirrels that used my friends as their homes, would go.. I could host them on
me if they would allow, but I myself do not know, how much time I have with
me….
There is so
much of haste, blinding and a ‘I don’t care’ attitude in all the people who are
working here, that I wonder if they really are from this beautiful city that I
lived for 80 years… or are they even people or just robots following
instructions!
I am the
huge non-native raintree at Sangamwadi , on stretch no: 9 where the current River
Front project is on.
Join Pune River Revival campaign ( https://puneriverrevival.com )
to know more about the project, and help save 1250….
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