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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 9:20:26 am

Thousands turn out to welcome ‘Madhuri’ home

Kolhapur: After 409 days away from home, Madhuri, the elephant belonging to the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Sansthan Math at Nandani in Shirol taluka, finally returned to the monastery on Friday night, bringing an outpouring of emotion among residents of Nandani and neighbouring areas. Thousands of people from across communities gathered to receive the elephant, with many visibly moved to tears. The return of Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, followed a 1,160-km journey from...

Thousands turn out to welcome ‘Madhuri’ home

Kolhapur: After 409 days away from home, Madhuri, the elephant belonging to the Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Sansthan Math at Nandani in Shirol taluka, finally returned to the monastery on Friday night, bringing an outpouring of emotion among residents of Nandani and neighbouring areas. Thousands of people from across communities gathered to receive the elephant, with many visibly moved to tears. The return of Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, followed a 1,160-km journey from Vantara’s elephant rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. She was transported in a specially equipped animal ambulance that left Jamnagar at 7.17 pm on Thursday. Accompanied by the Vantara team and a medical crew, the convoy travelled through Vadodara, Surat, Vapi, Navsari, Vasai, Virar, Thane, Pune, Satara and Karad before reaching Nandani after nearly 32 hours. At Gandhi Chowk in Nandani, thousands waited for her arrival. Drums and traditional dhol-tasha beats, flower showers and chants filled the streets as the convoy passed through the town. People lined both sides of the road merely to catch a glimpse of Madhuri. The celebrations also briefly affected traffic on the Pune-Bengaluru highway. Former MP Raju Shetti was among those who welcomed her, while MLAs Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar and Rahul Awade, Datt Group chairman Ganpatrao Patil, and former MLAs Ulhas Patil and Prakash Awade were also present. A specially prepared floral and fruit arrangement awaited Madhuri near her newly created residence. Banana bunches, papaya, beetroot, apples, oranges, sweet lime, sugarcane, watermelon, pomegranate, pineapple and other fruits were arranged along the route. Citizens also distributed sugar and jaggery and decorated the approach roads with colourful rangolis. The final arrival at the monastery was an emotional moment. Madhuri was brought down from the transport vehicle and entered her newly constructed accommodation amid religious rituals and chants. The monastery’s religious heads, including Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami, Swastishri Dharmasen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami and Swastishri Laxmisen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami, formally welcomed her. Vantara Routine Madhuri was among 376 elephants housed at Vantara’s rehabilitation centre in Gujarat. Two mahouts were assigned to her care. Her daily routine included feeding in the morning, a walk, food and fruits, cleaning and time in the swimming tank. She was given wet and dry fodder and water during the day, followed by another walk in the evening and fruits and fodder at night. A veterinary team regularly monitored her health. ‘Kolhapur has made it happen’ The return follows a prolonged legal and public campaign. After a High Court order resulted in Madhuri being shifted to Vantara, the Nandani Math approached the Supreme Court. The campaign subsequently received support from people across communities, while Shetti led a major public mobilisation. The eventual return of Madhuri has been described by supporters as the result of sustained efforts by the Nandani Math, citizens of Kolhapur and neighbouring districts, and the wider public response across Maharashtra and beyond. Strict Conditions The permission for Madhuri’s return was granted following approval by the high-powered committee. Under the conditions, she will not be made to perform any work. She will receive round-the-clock care and undergo a health examination every 15 days. Vantara’s veterinary department will assist with medical examinations and treatment whenever required. A 40-member Vantara team reached Nandani on Friday to assist with her care and ensure a smooth transition. More than 27 police officers, over 100 police personnel and more than 70 home guards were deployed to maintain law and order during the homecoming.

A beacon of hope for rural athletes

Correspondent
Oct 8, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Oct 22, 2024

How Akash Shinde transformed from a shy village boy to a prominent kabaddi player

beacon of hope

Mumbai: In the heart of Nashik's Adgaon village, a young boy Akash Shinde dared to dream big. Little did he know that his journey from playing in the muddy grounds of his town to becoming a PKL winner would inspire a generation of aspiring athletes.


“Initially, when I used to play, I would come home with bruises because Kabaddi was played in the mud,” Akash recalls as he enters his fourth season with the Puneri Paltan. And despite his family's initial concerns, his passion for kabaddi burned bright, fuelled by the unwavering support of his early mentors Sagar Malwade and Vinod Labde.


His path to success was far from smooth. He faced numerous setbacks, failing to make the cut in his first attempts at various levels. “I fell short in my first attempts at all levels. I went for my senior camp for Maharashtra and fell short there too!”


But instead of letting these failures discourage him, Akash used them as stepping stones. “These setbacks kept me determined, and I knew I needed to try harder and with renewed energy to show the world what I could do and achieve.”


His breakthrough came in 2019 at a seniors’ trial in Nashik. This performance opened doors, leading him to play in the Junior Nationals and eventually catching the eye of Yuva Paltan, which is the Puneri Paltan’s academy.


The turning point in Akash’s career came when he represented his college in Beed, earning his first chance to play for Maharashtra. Under the guidance of Anil Jagdale and Kailas Jagdale, his skills flourished. His journey accelerated as he moved from Mahindra & Mahindra to Yuva Paltan, where mentors like Sangram and Ashok helped refine his game.


Akash’s PKL debut with Puneri Paltan in Season 8 was a moment of immense pride, not just for him but for his entire village. “No player from the Nashik region had made it to PKL or even the Maharashtra team, so it was a shock, a pleasant one, for everyone. The entire Nashik district was very happy. It felt really good,” he reminisces.


But it was in Season 9 that he truly announced his arrival, becoming a formidable force on the mat. In the 22 matches that Akash played on the way to his first PKL final, he scored 139 raid points, averaging 6.32 raid point per match.


His performances caught the eye of the national selectors, earning him a spot on the Indian team for the Asian Games. “I received my Team India kit on the 27th of October. I still remember it,” he says.


The crowning glory came in PKL Season 10 when Akash, along with his Puneri Paltan teammates, lifted the coveted trophy. Albeit playing a diminished role, he managed an impressive 56 raid points in the 13 matches he played. “There was only one target then... we had made up our minds that we had to win the title this season, whatever it took,” he shared, reflecting on the team’s collective determination. Now, Akash stands as a beacon of hope for young athletes from rural India. His message to them is clear: “Keep believing in yourselves and your dedication and efforts.” He emphasizes the importance of loyalty, urging young players to stay true to the clubs that nurture them.


As he prepares for PKL Season 11, his journey from the muddy grounds of Adgaon to the bright lights of Pro Kabaddi serves as a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and unwavering support.

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