मी मराठी..... माझी स्वाक्षरी मराठी (गोपाळ वाकोडे सरांची मुलाखत)

नमस्कार
२७ फेब्रुवारी हा दिवस मराठी भाषा दिवस म्हणून साजरा केला जातो.
मराठी भाषेच्या प्रगती साठी आपण प्रत्येकाने प्रयत्न केले पाहिजेत. जास्तीत जास्त मराठी बोलले पाहिजे, मराठी वाचन केले पाहिजे आणि हा संकल्प केवळ एका दिवासापुरता मर्यादित न ठेवता कायम त्याचं जतन केल पाहिजे.
आपण बरेच जण मराठी भाषेच्या प्रगतिसाठी बोलत असतो, विचार करत असतो पण अश्या काही व्यक्ति असतात, त्या आपल्या विचाराला कृतीची जोड़ देतात.
असेच एक व्यक्तिमत्व म्हणजे Gopal Wakode सर.
बुलडाणा जिल्ह्यातील शाळेमध्ये चित्रकला शिक्षक असणाऱ्या गोपाळ सरानी प्रत्येक मराठी माणसाला मराठीमध्ये स्वाक्षरी शिकवण्यासाठी " मी मराठी..... माझी स्वाक्षरी मराठी" हा उपक्रम हाती घेतलाय. ते २००५ पासून प्रत्येक मराठी साहित्य संमेलना मध्ये जावून मराठी मध्ये स्वाक्षरी करण्यासाठी प्रबोधन करतात. गेल्या १२ वर्षात त्यानी ३ लाखां पेक्षा जास्त लोकांना मराठी मध्ये स्वाक्षरी शिकवली आहे.
१६ ते १८ फेब्रुवारी रोजी बड़ोदा येथे भरलेल्या ९१ व्या अखिल भारतीय मराठी साहित्य संमेलना मध्ये गोपाळ सरांना भेटायचा योग आला. मी आणि माझा मित्र श्रीराम मलांडे याने १८ फेब्रुवारी २०१८ रोजी घेतलेली गोपाळ सरांची मुलाखत नक्की वाचा......तुमच्या प्रतिक्रिया जरूर कळवा.
लाभले आम्हास भाग्य बोलतो मराठी.

गोपाळ वाकोडे सरांनी आम्हाला मराठीमध्ये शिकवलेली स्वाक्षरी

                                                   गोपाळ सर, श्रीराम मलांडे आणि मी

My Drawing Book

An afternoon in the school.  All class is at pin drop silence. Rani, age around 10 years studying in 5^th standard is standing in front of teacher. Teacher is scolding her due to incomplete homework.

“Where is your drawing” teacher asked angrily. Rani is silent.

Teacher asks in loud voice, “tell me, why you have not completed homework?”

“Mam my drawing book is finished, I don’t have new drawing book” Rani says in low voice.

“Excuses….don’t give me excuses”. Teacher “Get out of the class”

Rani stands silently.

“I said, get out of the class” Teacher.

“But, please Mam, I will complete it by tomorrow. Today Papa will purchase new drawing book for me”. Rani

“So, come to class tomorrow. Don’t waste time of your and others also” teacher.

Rani takes her school bag and walks out of the class.

After getting out of the school Rani start walking towards her house in sad mood. Normally at this age, getting out from school early is enjoyable moment for every kid. But teacher scolded her in front of whole class and only she has to go out of the class, this was very disappointed moment for Rani and she was in very sad mood.

Rani reaches her home which is old and very small. Her parents were not in the home, they went to farm. She sits on the floor, takes out two-three colourful chalks and drawing book from her book. She starts searching blank page in her drawing book but unable to find any blank page. The drawing book is full of drawings made by her. She again and again randomly searches for blank page but couldn’t find.

Rani takes chalk and starts making drawing on the wall of her house. She starts making any random shapes. She starts making sky, sun, moon, clouds, stars, planes, trees, birds and many more…..just like she has got her own Space. While making drawings she falls asleep.

After long time, Rani’s parents came. By the noise of door Rani wakes up runs towards her father.

“Papa, have you purchase drawing book for me?” Rani asks in excitement.

“No, beta. I went to farm, not city.” Says father.

“Let’s go now. I will also come with you. I have to complete my homework by tomorrow” Rani.

“No beta, not today. We will go tomorrow”

“Papa, teacher has warned me to complete my homework by tomorrow in any case, otherwise she will not allow me to sit in the class” Rani.

“See, beta I don’t have enough money to purchase you a drawing book. I am hardly getting money from this farming. I am not able to educate you” father said.

Rani becomes upset. “But I want to study Papa”.

“We will educate her, we will do more hard work” says Rani’s mother.

“Nothing is going to change by her education and after her marriage she has to stay at home only. So what is use of education?” Rani’s father said in emotional way

“Papa, our teacher told now a day’s girls are working in every sector with boys. From teaching to pilot everywhere you will find girls doing good job. Girls are not less than boys”.

“Very few girls are working and they all are from rich family, I can’t afford your education expenses.”

“It is not like that; in our school we have one chapter on Mary Kom. She is world boxing champion. She was also from poor family, by her hard work she reached to that level. I will do very hard work.” Rani tries to explain importance of women education to her father.

“This is different story altogether. Not every girl will become successful”

“Also not every boy is becoming successful” Rani argued with her father

“Don’t argue with me” Father said with heavy heart. He was feeling helpless.

“Please listen to me, I heard that government is providing free education to girls. Also we will gather some money and educate her. After she became officer you will be proud father of an IAS officer, just like that father shown in TV” says Rani’s mother.

“Don’t be in dreams. We are poor farmers and we don’t have right to see big dreams. There is big difference between TV life and reality” says Father. “Rani, from tomorrow your school is closed”.

Rani becomes very upset, ran towards her mother and starts crying. Her mother tries to convince her but Rani is not in the mood to listen to her and continues crying. Her mother tries to hide her tears but she couldn’t. Rani’s father walks out of home. His condition was not different than both ladies; his eyes are filled with tears, but he is not able to do anything.

From next day Rani was going to farm with her parents to help them. She used to do small kind of work at farm but she didn’t find it as interesting as making drawings.

One fine morning when Rani’s father was busy in work at farm, Rani was making random shapes from clay and water. At that time owner of farm came to visit the farm. Everyone in village was calling him as ‘Maalik’. Rani was so busy that she didn’t notice him. Maalik found some creativity in those clay shapes which were related to her day to day life. He knew Rani from past few years. While giving payment to Rani’s father, Maalik was using calculator for calculations, but Rani used to do that calculations within seconds. He was very impressed. Her image is created as smart girl in his mind.

“Wow!! Very nice drawings. What are  you doing here sweet girl? Are you not going to school?”

Rani remains silent. Maalik asks Rani’s father, why she is not going to school?

“Maalik, I am not able to educate her. Now day’s education became very costly. In this less money we are hardly able to meet our daily expenses” says Rani’s father. “ and also there is no use of girl’s education” he added.

“What are you talking? What you are thinking was long back. We are in 21^st century and girls are not behind in any fields than boys, in fact they are doing much better than boys” Maalik explains to Rani’s father.

“But….” Rani’s father tries to say something but Maalik interrupts him, “No….No….don’t give any excuses. You are such lucky that, by having fewer resources, your child is studying very nicely. I am providing every facility to my son but he is not interested in study at all. Send your daughter to school and in case if you require some extra money, I will provide you”

After convinced by Maalik, Rani’s father agrees to send her to school. Rani is very happy by this decision and she thanks to Maalik.

Now Rani is regularly going to school. Her father has decided to work more hardly and will educate Rani.

One day Rani’s parents were busy in work, Rani came running towards them.

“What happened?” Rani’s father asked.

“Papa, I got first prize in drawing competition at our school. I am 1^st out of 200 participants from our school” Rani said very happily.

“Wow!!  That’s great” Rani’s father shouted in joy.

“I am qualified for district level drawing competition”

Rani’s mother hugs her “I know, you are going to win that competition also, my child”

That was proud moment for Rani’s family.

“Tomorrow is prize distribution. Papa, mummy you both have to come to my school”

“We? What we will do at your school” Rani’s mother said

“You have to come” Rani insisted.

“Ok beta, we will come” both agreed.

Fine morning of children’s day in school. All children came well dressed to celebrate children day. All villagers are gathered at school for children day function. School teachers and some respected people from village are on the stage. School principal gave speech telling that birthday of Jawaharlal Nehru is celebrated as children day on 14^th November. He was very famous prime minister amongst children.

After that, principal announces prize for Rani for winning drawing competition. He further added that Rani is one of the scholar student of our school. She is not only good in drawings but in academics also. We have lot of expectations from her in future. Rani gets prize by the hands of Maalik. Rani dedicates prize to her parents telling that they are the persons behind her success. Because of their hard work she is able to study.

Rani’s parent’s eyes are filled with tears, this time because of pleasure. They are feeling satisfied of their decision to educate Rani.

“Papa, please come” Rani invites her father on stage.

Her father came on stage. Principal requests him to speak some words.

Rani’s father starts speaking, “I am just illiterate farmer. I don’t have that much knowledge to speak in front of you. It was Maalik who opened my eyes and convinced me to send Rani to school. I really thank him for his help. I just want to say that, do not discriminate between boys and girls. Girls have ability and they have proven themselves. There are many successful women and you all know that. Please respect them. Everyone wants mother, sister and wife then why not girl child? It’s my humble request to all of you, please save girl child and educate her, she is future of our country”

Rani’s father hugs her with pride and whole audience appreciated with loud applause.

Messenger of God

Messenger of God

It was a fine Sunday evening and I was fighting with sleep to wake up. At that time my mobile start ringing. Oh god! Its too boring to get out of the bed and pick up the call.

“Ha, Aai bolo”

“Kya kar rahe ho beta?”

“Kuch nahi Aai, aaram kar raha tha”

Actually my Sundays schedule is fixed. Wake up at late morning then taking lunch then watching any movie or doing timepass on internet then sleeping and wake up directly at evening. My lots of Sundays are went like this in laziness.

“Beta tum subah mandir gaye the?”

“Nahi Aai, time nahi mila”

“Are kya time nahi mila? Week me ek din to milata hai, us din to mandir jaya karo”

“Lekin Aai, mai last Sunday to gaya tha mandir!!”

“To kya hua, khana to har roz khate ho na? Abhi jaldi se taiyar hokar mandir jakar aao”

“Thik hai Aai”

“Take care beta”

Actually I am not completely atheist. Somewhat I believe in god. I also go to temple, but not regularly.

I reached the temple, gave some coins to beggars outside the temple and entered inside the temple.

In the crowd inside the temple, everyone was looking in hurry. Someone was trying to break the line. I wondered if people were in so much hurry, if they don’t want to stand 5 minutes in a queue then why they came to temple? Breaking the queue doesn’t mean that god will listen to you early!!

After doing pranam to god I took Prasad and sat in one corner of the temple. I was observing the people in the crowd, at that time I realized that someone was observing me!! He was almost of my age. Before I could say anything he said Hi to me with smiling face.

I somewhat in confusion, “Hi, but can I know you?”

“In the temple of god everyone is same, right? So no need of formal introduction!!” he said.

After some formal discussion he asked me, “Do you believe in God?”

“Means?”

“Means do you believe in god? As simple as that!!”

“Yes, I do believe in god and everyone came here believe in god that’s why they came to temple” I continued “I believe in my own strengths but we have to keep some faith in god also, right?”

“Exactly, we have to keep some faith in god and at the same time we have to find our own strengths and abilities” he said.

“But what about you? Do you believe in god?” now I was in confidence.

On this question he smiled and answered, “Yes, I believe in god but my definition of god is different!!”

“What? Definition of god? God is same for everyone, doesn’t he?” now my tone became somewhat louder.

“Calm down my friend Calm down. The basic difference between you and me is, you see god only in temples and I see god in every good things”

By seeing my confusion he further explained, “See, you believe god is everywhere right?” I nodded in positive.

“Yes, god is everywhere” I said.

“God is everywhere but try to see it. Try to see god in every human being. In every helping hand I see god. I see god in my parents” he said. “I don’t see god in Idols, I see god in every human and in every good thing”

“So you are saying that god is everywhere and you don’t have to come to temple” I said thinking what exactly he is talking?

“No. You have misunderstood me. I don’t have any oppose to temples or people coming to temple. I like it, that’s why I came here” he further added.

“So what are you trying to say??” me.

“I am trying to say that, keep faith in god but don’t keep blind faith. Don’t follow god blindly, do hard work and for that don’t depend on god, help others, try to make things better, this will make your life meaningful”

“Ok. That’s good but why you came to temple?” I said.

“Because I like the ambience of temple. I feel refreshed by coming here. If you observe the people here they are looking happy. Of course not everyone is happy, but whoever is in trouble will also get refreshed by the atmosphere present here and forget his sadness for a moment. Everyone is behaving gently with each other. No one is shouting on each other. If we able to keep such a kindness in a society and in our daily life, our life will become so much peaceful”  Now I was very much involved in listening his words.

“You know, I respect those people who are helping the beggars outside the temple. Feeding these hungry people is more important than keeping fruits and Prasad in front of the god. Their blessing will give very much satisfaction than the satisfaction of god. I had never kept fruits, Prasad or money in front of god instead of that I am helping to poor peoples and giving some food to some people”

“And I am not saying that I am doing a great job or I am a great person. I am  just doing my duty because I feel that I owe something to society. I am doing it by my way because I am living on my own principles”

“Living on your principles is good but you have to follow society’s rule, no? you have to do what everyone is doing otherwise you have to suffer” I said.

“My friend, fighting with world is easy but fighting with your own principles is not easy because, you are the winner and you are the only looser!!” he said.

“You can do these things outside temple also, what is need of coming to temple?” me

“Yes, you are right. I am not saying that you have to come temple regularly. Our priority should be to help people. We all are doing our daily routine work. We need some change. We need some ideal place where we can meet new peoples, share our experiences and help each other and I think mandir is very good place for that. But remember my friend again I am telling you, don’t keep blind faith in god, don’t be dependent on god and don’t waste your money on god instead of that use these money to help some needy people, feed hungry people then god will definitely become very happy”

I was very much impressed by his work. “Nice job yaar. I think you are perfectly balancing the religious and social life. But I have one question, people remember god only when they are in trouble and they forget god when they are happy. What would you say about this?”

“There is also good thing in this. See, if you are happy and satisfied you will not do any bad things. And when you are in trouble you are going to god but at the same time you remember all the bad things you have done in the past. By closing your eyes for 2 minutes in front of god you say, Bhagvan is bar bacha lena, aage se koi galati nahi hogi. If you really mean that then it is very good thing” he was explaining very much clearly.

“Very nice yaar. I am really impressed. What is your name friend?” after asking this question I wondered to myself because after doing this important discussion for so long time, now I am asking his name!!

“What is in the name? conversation is important” he quickly replied.

“Phir bhi!!”

“You can call me ‘MITRAA’, because we became friends now, right?”

“Yes, Mitraa. I will definitely try to implement these principles in my life” I said in confidence.

“Also try to motivate some more people like you” he further added.

“Sure”

I was walking out of temple with big satisfaction. Today I realized the true meaning of going to temple and God.

टपाल (Letter)

टपाल.....आजच्या मॉडर्न युगात दुर्मिळ होत चाललेली गोष्ट. टपाल हा शब्द ऐकल्यावर बरेचजण क्षणभर अवाक होऊन पाहतात आणि त्यावर प्रतिक्रिया असते कि, अरे!! बऱ्याच दिवसानंतर ऐकला रे हा शब्द. त्यातल्या त्यात जमेची बाजू म्हणजे बऱ्याचजणांना हा शब्द ओळखीचा तरी वाटतो, नाहीतर आजच्या पिढीला टपाल म्हणजे काय हे माहित आहे कि नाही याबद्दल शंकाच आहे. आणि भविष्यात याच्याशी काही संबंध येण्याची शक्यताच नाही. कारण आजचे युग हे इंटरनेट युग आहे. एका सेकंदात हवी ती माहिती, हव्या त्या व्यक्तीपर्यंत इंटरनेटच्या माध्यमातून पोहोचवता येते. पहिल्यांदा टेलिफोन आला नंतर मोबाईल आणि आता व्हाट्स अॅप त्यामुळे आता टपालाची काही गरजच उरली नाही.

पण या सगळ्यामध्ये, सर्वांची सुख दु:खे घेऊन येणारा, ऊन पाऊस कश्याचीही पर्वा न करता, गावोगावी जाऊन टपाल पोहोचवणारा पोस्टमन कितीजणांना आठवतो?? आजकाल टपाल जसे दुर्मिळ होत चालले आहे तसेच पोस्टमन सुध्दा. लहानपणी एक खुप गमतीदार खेळ होता, ताईचं पत्र हरवलं.....सर्व मुले गोल घोळका करून बसायची आणि एक मुलगा हातात रुमाल घेऊन त्या घोळक्याच्या बाजूने धावायचा आणि बसलेली सर्व मुले एका सुरात मोठ्याने गायची "ताईचं पत्र हरवलं......." आणि तो धावणारा मुलगा म्हणायचा "तेच मला सापडलं.....". धावता धावता तो रुमाल नकळत कोणाच्यातरी पाठीमागे टाकायचा......ज्याच्या पाठीमागे तो रुमाल असायचा त्याने तो रुमाल उचलून त्या धावणाऱ्या मुलाला पकडण्याचा प्रयत्न करायचा. खूप मज्जा यायची. हळूहळू तो खेळही मागे पडत गेला आणि पत्रही!!

आज आयुष्याच्या खेळामध्ये असा काही अडकून गेलो आहे कि.....असे वाटते.....ताईचं पत्र खरोखरच हरवलय.....!!

याच विषयावर लक्ष्मण उतेकर यांचा खूप छान चित्रपट आहे "टपाल". प्रत्येकाने आवर्जून पाहावा असा हा चित्रपट आहे. खेडेगाव आणि एका पोस्टमनचे त्या खेडेगावाशी असलेले नाते, त्या गावातील लोकांच्या आयुष्यात पोस्टमनचे असणारे स्थान खुप सुंदरपणे या सिनेमात दाखवण्यात आले आहे.

गावातील एक लहान मुलगा रंगा, त्याने लिहिलेले टपाल आणि ते टपाल परत मिळवण्यासाठी पोस्टमनसोबतचा प्रवास........ त्यानिमित्ताने रंगाचा पोस्टमनच्या आयुष्यातील दोन दिवसांचा प्रवेश, पोस्टमनच्या आणि त्याच्या बायकोच्या आयुष्यात सुखांच्या फुलांची उधळण करणारा ठरतो. नंदू माधव यांनी आपल्या उत्तम अभिनयाने हुबेहूब पोस्टमन उभा केला आहे. वीणा जामकर आणि बालकलाकार रोहित उतेकर यांनी आपल्या सहजसुंदर अभिनयाने त्यांना तितकीच उत्तम साथ दिली आहे.

आपलं बालपण पुन्हा अनुभवण्यासाठी प्रत्येकाने हा चित्रपट जरूर पहा.....काय माहित, तुम्हाला तुमचं हरवलेलं "पत्र" पुन्हा सापडेल सुद्धा.....!!!!!

Be the Change

It is said that, change is the only constant thing. Yes it is true, we have to keep updating ourselves regularly in order to survive in today’s world. Everyone is talking about change, changing India, changing nation, but no one is talking about changing ourselves. Everyone’s mentality is like, some good change has to happen in the society, India has to become developed country so that everyone can live happily. But no one is ready to think, how this change will happen? Who will do change in society? And most importantly what is my contribution to the society? Everyone is talking about change at big level but no one is thinking about small thing which we have to change in our daily life. No big change will happen to country or society until and unless the mentality of our people will change.

Start a small positive change from yourself and this will definitely make big difference in the society. Our government has started Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. To make this Abhiyan a grand success we just have to do small things. First start from your house, keep your house very clean and important thing, don’t throw garbage on roads, use proper dustbin. Don’t throw papers, wrappers or any waste material on the roads or anywhere. Do not spit on the roads. If all of us start following these small and very easy things, I am confident that within few days we will see our India very clean and that will be big change for us.

As said by Mother Teresa, Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. We have to be faithful in every small things so that one day definitely we will see good change in our society.

How many of us have courage to stand for truth if something is happening wrong in the society? Very few people are like that. Always stand for truth, even if you are standing alone. Just try this once you will really feel proud of yourself and surely this will become your habit.

Usually we talk about foreign countries that, they have clean roads, they have good traffic. And we think that this is only because they have strict rules and our country doesn’t have but I sincerely feel that there is no term such as strict rules. Rules are rules, we have to follow them. Only difference is, foreign countries are following rules strictly and we are taking it casually. At the time we will change our nature, we will become successful. For that we have to change ourselves first. As said by Mahatma Gandhiji, “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

I hope everyone will think on this and start positive change from our self because Journey of thousand miles start with a single step!!