‘Colony’, Siddharth Pardhe’s autobiography
Colony, the autobiography of Siddharth Pardhe has won this year’s Keshavrao Kothavale Award. This autobiography is unusual in more ways than one.
Laxmanrao Bhagaji Pardhe, the author’s father worked as a labourer when Sahitya Sahawas was being build. Sahitya Sahawas is a colony of ‘Who’s Who’ in Marathi literature. It was built in 1970 when the Government of Maharashtra allotted a plot of land to build this colony.
Balasaheb Thackeray stays there, and Sachin Tendulkar grew up there playing cricket and reportedly breaking window panes with his shots. [Prof Ramesh Tendulkar, Sachin’s father stayed there.] Laxmanrao Pardhe did odd jobs, initially helping build the colony as a labourer and then as a plumber, carpenter and watchman. He built a small hut for himself on the outskirts of the colony. His wife, the author’s mother worked as a maid at many residents’ place. Siddharth grew up in the colony spending his time under the stairs, finding a place for studying on the terrace of the colony’s building and returning to his hut for a good night’s sleep. The families in the colony influenced, encouraged Siddharth, some of them inspired him. Siddharth, the author, completed his graduation, found a job for himself in Life Insurance Corporation of India and is an officer of MIG Club [where, incidentally, Sachin goes to practice his game].
Siddharth was encouraged to write his life story by some of them, and Dr. YD Phadke, who was a great researcher and author of several books, edited and revised the first chapter of his autobiography. Sachin attended the publication ceremony of this book.
This is the story of a person who is both, ambitious and sensitive; and who is mentored by some great minds in Marathi literature. It is also the story of the struggle of a person to rise above social barrier. For me, such stories provide inspiration.
Sachin and Siddharth, both born and brought up at the same place, in different families with vastly different educational, financial and social backgrounds. Both are high achievers, and both have managed to cross barriers in their own ways. Both inspire me. One significant difference is one is always in limelight and the other hidden from the world.
Read Siddharth Pardhe’s interview [Link]
Vivek
What a beautiful post. People who can inspire should write their autobiography. I’d like to read more.
What an inspiring post….
Such achievements keep my faith intact…that humanity exists. That there are people who have the guts to rise above social handicaps and those who have the courage to inspire, guide and mentor those who have the talent, the aspiration but not the means….
Great post!
@Aleta: Siddharth comes from lowest strata of society where people live in abject poverty. It can not be imagined by people not familiar with India. Siddharth’s achievement is very significant requiring more of ‘fire in the belly’ and grit than just economic support.
Thanks for your good words.
@SGD: When you say ‘such posts keep my achievements in tact’, my day is made! Thanks a ton,
Vivek
Thanks for posting about this. Siddharth’s is such an inspirational story, and a great example of how a life can change with proper mentoring and hard work. If I am not mistaken , Siddharth’s brother also functions as Sachin’s personal assistant. So really, this is a wonderful example of how education has helped a family see better days…
Thanks for introducing. Must read the book
I found the juxtaposition of this inspiring post with the previous one really interesting. On the one hand we have sons of priveleged/pampered/political families getting things (and degrees) the easy way. On the other, we have such genuinely talented sons of the soil rising above their own poverty and the apathy of the world. Political leaders are supposed to be role models. But, unfortunately, in India, the role models have to be searched elsewhere.
Thanks also for the glimpse of Marathi literature, which is an unknown territory for me.
Very inspirational….would love to pick up a copy of the book.
Just visited your blog thru aleta’s…will be a usual now 🙂