This
is a shortened table of events.  Many
hundreds of people were involved in preparing the welcome for which all the members
of the 1960 University of Bristol team give immense thanks to D.N Jadhav and the
members of a Steering Committee who were responsible for the arrangements. The
Pusegaon Archive will contain an account of their work, and help given by enthusiastic
students at local colleges. Here special mention is given to.Principal
Vasanrao K.Wagh, Shri Madhavraro K.Wagh, Shri Balasaheb
S.Jadhav and Shri Suresh D. Jadhav. The welcome for
the Bristol guests was overwhelming. Thanks must also be given to the Gram Panchayat
and all the help given The
souvenir programme explains how the idea of the Reunion 2000 began, the history
of the Pusegaon Sanctuary of Sevagiri , the Sevagiri Devashtan Trust and the Pusegaon
village annual fair. When
complete The Pusegaon Archive will contain pages from the programme together with
a list of the contributing individuals, businesses and organisations, the
Gram Pancyat , the
villagers of Pusegaon and Dr. Shri P.L.Bhupal, Sarpanch. Excerpts
from the programme |
| 23rd
November | Meeting
and prayers at the Temple (Samadhi), Sevagiri Maharaj, Pusegaon. The floor was
decorated with an immense six tiered rangoli of coloured sand. |  |
| 23rd November | After
prayers and greetings in the Temple the six visitors were welcomed at the Narayangiri
Hall by members of the Gram Panchayat and the Steering Committee |  |
| 23rd November |
Sevagiri High School....Since 1960 the school has expanded with many new buildings
and the fields that at one time reached the school door have been levelled to
a large earthen square surrounded by trees. The team and their wives were presented
with gifts and three hours of songs and regional dances by the students | |
|
| 24th
November | Koregaon
is on the road between Satara and Pusegaon. In 1960 it was a small though important
village and the Bristol team were given lodging in the Government Rest House [Bungalow].
The team was greeted by members of the Gram Panchayat. Gifts of coconuts and shawls
gave a spiritual message to the reunion. |  |
| 24th
November | In
1960 when not lodging in Koregaon the team stayed in Aundh, in those days about
two hours by four wheel drive to the south of Pusegaon. Aundh though small was
the capital of one of the Princely States and the Archive will have separate pages
covering the ornate temples and the extraordinary Aundh museum. The photo (right)
shows the visitors in the Yamai temple.which was part of a nostalgic tour organised
by members of the Gram Panchayat. |  |
| 24th
November | In 1960 the late Rajah of Aundh took
a keen interest in the team's activities. In return, Don the medical officer offered
advice for the family and the village. During the Reunion, the Rajah's daughter-in-law,
now H.E Rani Sahiba of Aundh, was present at the high school celebrations. She
later invited the guests for tea in her palace. |  |
| 24th
November | The
day was action packed and fortunately paved roads between the villages, now small
towns, cut the journeys to less than an hour . The evening was spent at the home
of Dhananjay Jadhav and his wife Sheela. Before the welcome dinner Sheela (second
from right) presented Vera Yee, Marion Morrison and Gwen Tutt with sarees
and other gifts creating an amazing transformation. | 
PHOTO: CHAVAN/KOHLAPUR |
| 25th
November | Although
Pusegaon has grown to be the centre for trade between local towns, it depends
heavily on agriculture. In 1960 the Bristol team recorded aspects of the simple
methods of farming. Forty years later and the improvements are astounding. Here
Shri.Madhavrao K.Wagh is talking with Marion Morrison about new crops such as
ginger and ground-nuts. The archive will have a page devoted to past agriculture
and more about present day work. |  |
| 25th
November | The
Deccan has always been subject to severe droughts. Pusegaon, although it was in
the valley of the Yerala river, had its share of suffering. In 1876/77 a severe
famine was the stimulus for building an earth dam to hold the water for irrigation.
The Nher tank is 3kms (1.85 miles) from Pusegaon. |  |
| 25th
November | Three
hundred farmers and villagers provided a traditionl lunch for the visitors in
the Wedding Hall, Pusegaon. This event was truly memorable for the delicacy of
the largely vegetarian food. The preparation had taken weeks and the skill of
many hands. |  |
| 25th
November | Following
the meal the visitors were taken to the Shri. Hanunmangiri High School for a "Farewell"
ceremony by the members of the Gram Panchayat, the Steering Committee, local colleges
and schools. Honorary Citizenships were conferred on the six guests and the street
where the Bristol team had stayed in 1960 was named "Bristol Road" Peter Krinks,
Roger Tutt and Tony Morrison were honoured with ceremonial phetas (turbans)
and traditional gifts, while Gwen Vera and Marion wore their lovely sarees.
...In everyone's mind it was not 'farewell', but
the 'end of the beginning'. | 
PHOTO CHAVAN/KOLHAPUR |
| 25th
November | Satara
the regional centre where the visitors stayed was the final destination at the
end of a momentous day. Shri R. E Pawar Superintendent of Police in Satara and
his wife hosted a last dinner to which numerous representatives of local industry
and education were invited. Though almost an hour apart along a paved road, Pusegaon
and Satara have close contact. The Archive will contain a page about Satara. | 
PHOTO:CHAVAN/KOHLAPUR |
|
|
| The
text and most of the images are © Copyright |
| For
any commercial use please contact | | |
| THE
NONESUCH - FLOWER OF BRISTOL |
| AN
EMBLEM FOR ENTERPRISE | |
|
