Abasaheb Shinde "Punyatithi"

It is Thirty Six years since my father Abasaheb passed away in a car accident, early morning on 20th. Jan. 1972. He was Forty Five. Just the day before he had been selected by the Indian National Congress Party, as a candidate to contest the Maharashtra State Assembly Elections. It was a dream come true for him as he had been denied the "ticket" a couple of times before. This time famous personalities like Dilip Kumar, and Yashwantrao Chavan had pitched for him. His election was a forgone conclusion, as the Miraj constituency he would be contesting from was a very strong INC stronghold.

I was just Fourteen then, and studying at Belgaum. I remember the day very vividly. My mother came to school at around 10 AM, and requested my teacher to allow me to leave with her. She had obviously not been told about the tragedy, she just knew there was an emergency and we were to go to Mhaisal. The moment we reached, home, the impact of the happenings, hit us like a tornado. My father's body was brought in a long concierge, after a procession both in Miraj and Sangli, where (we were told later) people went into a deep mourning. I remember touching his feet, and being surprised at their coldness. By convention, I should have creamated him, but my family felt I was too young to do so.

A lot of time has elapsed since, but the loss is still acutely felt by not just his family, but by many whose life he touched, throughout the Sangli District. Today his statue stands in Kisan Chowk at Miraj (which was innaugarated by Dilip Kumar, Yashwantrao Chavan & Vasantrao Dada Patil, in 1975). His busts have been installed at Sangli & Mhaisal. A Memorial also stands at the exact spot of his accident near Digraj (Sangli). A road in Miraj and a Square has been named after him by the Muncipal Corporation.

To me he will always be an idol, whom I will try my best to emulate.