The Final Farewell to Ushakaal our Home in Akola

In 1992, on the day of Akshay Tritiya, we did the Bhoomi Poojan at the plot my dad had purchased. As was the practice, first thing we had to do was to dug a bore-well so that the water can be used for the construction work. Soon the construction work started. In the scorching heat of Akola in May month, me and Aai, use to visit the site to keep a watch. Baba, would do the running around for ordering the material and manage his office. Shamal use to manage the house work. This way the entire family was involved.

 

Aai had made the basic plan of our new house and then gave to the Engineer. Having spent all her married life till then, in a rented house, she was very particular on small small requirements she wanted in the new house.

 

One after another the rooms were being built. Everyday trucks of bricks, sand, cement, iron etc were being off loaded at the site. Most of my time used to be spent at the site. 12th July was the planned date for the roof, slab. It was continuously raining a week before that. We were on skeptical as to whether rain will play a spoilsport. But luckily the rain stopped and it went as per the plan.

 

By early September 1992, the basic structure of “our own house” was ready. Then the work of plaster, tiles fitting, electric wire fitting, plumbing started. The “Devghar” (place were idols and photos of Gods are kept) was decorated at the last. All this went on till Nov end. The new home was ready for us to shift. Then came the question, by what name it should be called? Joshi Sadan, Gharkul, Snehal, Shamal (my sister) etc names were discussed. At last, we found the name “Ushakaal” (the sunrise). The name was finalized for two reasons. First, the main door was facing east. Every morning, we could see the sunrise from that door. Second, it was the name of the home of the rising cricket star of that time. Sachin Tendulkar’s home at Bandra Kala Nagar was also named Ushakaal.

 

The date of Vaastu was fixed as 18th Dec 1992. All the relatives were informed through post cards as landline was luxury item at that time. Just then, the events of 6th Dec unfolded. Akola had terrible riots on 7th Dec. All the plans had to be cancelled. 

 

We had already removed the watchman at the site. So I had to take the responsibility of watchman. I alone use to sleep in that newly constructed house in the freezing cold of December. Soon the things calmed down and the new date of the Vaastu was fixed on 29th Jan 1993. We were to shift on 26th Jan. So that house was ideal for my friends for flying kites during the Sankrant season. Every evening around 10-15 friends use to be there on the terrace and we would create a havoc. Our noise was the loudest in the area during that year.

 

Soon the day of shifting came. All my friends helped us a lot during the shifting and also on the Vastu day.

 

And thus we started living in OUR OWN HOUSE. The house was a talking point of the area for years to come due to its plan and the amenities which were created in it. It had 4 rooms, a Verandah, a parking space for two wheeler, a big terrace, where we had hosted the party for Vaastu, and a courtyard for gardening. 

 

The reason I am writing this now is that just this week, I made my last visit to this home. After lots of discussions we finally decided to sell it off. The deal was done on 24th April. Baba hosted a small party for all the people we knew in and around Akola. Around 150 people came. Many of them told that it is wise decision, some of them said, that we should have retained the house, while some of them literally had tears in their eyes, since Aai Baba will be moving to Mumbai now. One of my friend, called me from Pune when he got the news and requested me to reverse the decision. But alas, the decision was already made, the deal was already registered.

 

As for me, I was happy on one hand that Aai Baba will be moving to Mumbai, but also saddened that the Akola connect wont be there now. Although from last 3-4 years, I was able to visit Akola once or twice only, but still that attachment was there, which will be missing now. I had controlled my emotions till the end, making my self understand that all this is part of life. But at the end when I was about to leave for the station, I could not control my tears. I went at the steps of the main door and did my final Namaskar to the house. Thanked it for the lots and losts of memories it had given us during these years. Every year on the days of Diwali, Dusshera, Gudi Padwa, I use to take pride in decorating the house with Mango Leaves, Marigold Flowers, etc.

 

With heavy heart I bid a Final Farewell, a Final Goodbye to our home for past 23 years. Good Bye Ushakaal, Good Bye Akola.