Mithun Deshpande
Government College Of Engineering, Karad
Email : mithund@rediffmail.com
Aati kya? Ghat
pe?
Call it the cynosure of the town. Call it Romeo's paradise. Call it the glutton's heaven. Call it anything. For words possibly can't describe our very own, dear old ghat. For that new-in-town, the word ghat conjures up images of dhobi ghats, a place where donkeys rather than people would dare go. But thankfully, it's not even close to that. For this is the place where the veteran leader Shri. Chavan rests in peace. For this is where Krishnamai dwells. For this is ghat…the heartbeat of the town.
Are we on some retro history lesson? Oops. No. The whole aim here is to tell how the image of ghat has changed over the years (Thank heavens for that!!) Come evening, May or June, rain or sun and people from all walks of life…right from your neighbour Joshi to Patel Sethji to Kulkarni Buwa to Bandya Don (No…not Mangalwar peth…that's Bandu Don!!) go for their ritualistic ghat darshan. Going to ghat still is something of an attraction for the denizens of this little sleepy town. No wonder you find guys and gals at their best, complete with suit, boot and make up. And yes, the bikes with deliberately removed silencers. Not just the hip public but even for the elderly and the respected and elite, a visit to ghat is no less than a social get together.
No visit to ghat is complete without paying homage to the deceased mighty soul. What's interesting though is the kutta leading to the samadhi. This place is the most happening place on ghat ( after the 'asabhya' place, about which you'll know soon). This kutta is the place for discussing everything under the sun. And that includes how Miss.High Heel bought a new Scooty. Or how Kalya beat the shit out of Dadya. And yes, politics is a hot favorite too. From talathis to talibaan…
Well, ghat needs a bit of improvement when it comes to seating arrangements. One really dare not seat on the lush green lawns (A bit more lush than required!) without risking biting from some strange life forms! And that's why, the enthu public have found a nice, cozy place. Guess what? Yes. The scooters and bikes parked outside the main gates. True, that people don't approve of these enthu public (Again…a bit more enthu than necessary) and their 'asabhya wartan'. But hey , give them a break! As you can have a view of every soul entering ghat, this undisputedly makes this 'asabhya' place the most happening and hottest places on ghat! (I personally prefer the staircases at the rear end of the lawns…don't ask why!!)
Then there are the so-called 'items' who for their want of desperate privacy prefer some secluded corner. But alas, our enthu public knows better than to give them their MUCH DESERVED privacy. (You know what I mean, don't you?) The bottom line is…never ever go on ghat if you are an 'item'. (And if you want to save yourself from the embarrassment of being stared at as if you have committed some faux pas!).
If you ask me, the best part of ghat are the 20 to 30 odd 'gade' or stalls as we call them. What they offer you is tasty. Spicy. And most important, cheap! My dose of junk food includes two 'katchi dabhilis' (Thanks to my friend Saru,who introduced me to this dish…no visit is now complete without them!), a Masala pao or pao bhaji (Babu makes the best!!). And if I have some extra bucks to spare, a pizza (A word of advice, there's little or no difference between the REGULAR PIZZA and CHEESE PIZZA they offer, so better opt for the former.) and a softy (The only flavor you get is butterscotch-vanilla, combined as the guy says.) But for 12 bucks a cone…it's a treat!
My association with ghat grew more during the past few years. Whether it was a break from tuition classes or the post - examination celebration or Bahulya's late night treat or Appa's or Pemya's party…ghat has been the obvious and unanimous choice. (Like we have any other choice!) Things are always happening at ghat. Just keep your eyes and ears open and you'll know what I mean. Trust me! The bottom line is…ghat is the heartbeat of Karad. Well, atleast for the enthu public of Karad, it surely is. No wonder making it the hottest and most hip bird watching grounds (and hunting too) of Karad. (Chawdi Chowk comes second.)
So, if you are still single, looking forward to hunt a few birds, spend a few bucks and if possible have your first date (What the hell does it matter anyways if you are labeled as 'items'?), or if you just want to be a part of the enthu public, my friend, welcome to ghat!
Talks. Walks. Looks. Eats. "Items". It happens only on ghat. Naturally.
(The write regularly patronizes ghat with the other enthu public on Tuesdays and Sundays.)
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