Shifting of Family to Godhra (16)

16. Shifting of Family to Godhra

In April 1986, I was posted to Panchmahal District for my district training. There were no government quarters available, so I tried to find a private rented house near the Collector’s office but couldn’t succeed. 

Finally, journalist Tapubhai Parmar helped me find a small room; bare walls, no fan, no light, no cot.

Compared to that, even the government guest house seemed better. The rule allowed officers to stay there for only 15 days, but I would check out for a day and re-enter and thus managed to continue my stay. Manager Joshi and the cook Maharaj took good care of me.

I had no vehicle, but the guest house was close to the Collector’s office, so I managed by walking.

The Resident Deputy Collector (RDC), Mr. Dilipbhai Dharaiya, assigned me a 19-year-old orderly named Rupo Charel.

Our Collector, Mr. Haresh Patra, was a man of royal bearing. I would get our work done mostly through his PA, Arvind Patel.

Sometimes, when there were small parties at District Development Officer (DDO) Mr. Maheshwar Shahu’s residence, I’d get a good meal. 

Once, I got the chance to travel to Gandhinagar in the jeep of Prant Officer Rita Teotia. But she was promoted, and Mr. Joshi a new Prant Officer took charge who was a great support to me.

Govt Quarter for IAS Probationer 

By October 1986, a new block of government quarters in the RDC compound was completed, and I was allotted a ground-floor flat. The RDC took care of allotment of one ground floor flat to me and the Collector was kind enough to sanction it in the district house allotment committee. 

The moment I got it, I brought Laxmi, Ujjwal, and Dhawal to Godhra.

On the way, at Dakor, we bought all the kitchen essentials — saansi, tapeli, spoons, broom, and other utensils.

For me, life in the slum had ended in August 1985, but now Laxmi, Ujjwal, and Dhawal were also free from it.

Leaving behind that one-room tin-roofed life, we stepped into a new home of govt flat with two bedrooms, a hall, and a kitchen — and with it, began a new chapter of life.

Good Neighbours 

In our new flat, we found good company.

Right across from us lived Additional District Judge Girishbhai Joshi and his wife Bhavanaben. Girishbhai remains unforgettable — he never washed his head while bathing, saying he’d catch a cold if he did! So once a month, on a Sunday, his wife would wash his hair for him.

On the first floor, above us, lived Prant Officer (Deputy Collector and SDM) Mr. Joshi (57 years old) and his wife Urmilamasi, who took great care of us. The Social Welfare officer and a Deputy Collector MDM were less interactive. 

In the older block nearby lived Rajnikant Patel, Director of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), and his wife Ranjanben — both warm and talkative people. Sadly, Rajnikant passed away quite young.

The RDC Kanubhai Patel and his wife Kokilaben were always ready to help.

After Judge Girishbhai’s transfer to Vadodara, our new neighbors became Jahangirbhai and Bhagwatiben, equally friendly and kind.

When Joshi Saheb retired, the new Prant Officer Gameti and his wife Savitaben joined our circle.

The children too found a lovely group to play with Peenas, Falguni, Purvi, Dingal, Mili, Chirag, and others.

Ujjwal was admitted to St. Arnold’s School, and Dhawal, dressed in his brother’s school uniform, would climb the bus from one door and hop off from the other enjoying his small ride!

Freedom from Slums 

From the hellish slum, we had finally stepped into a life that felt human — open, dignified, and hopeful. On that far horizon, the dawn of a new social life and a bright future had begun for us. Now onwards, my family is going to live in a good house and healthy living environment in this life. 

A person’s success is never theirs alone. There are always many who share in it. My parents, my teachers, my relatives, my environment had their direct or indirect role to push me forward. Laxmi has been the greatest partner in my success, the strongest pillar of support in the chariot of my life.

Whenever my chariot wavered or stumbled, she firmly held the reins and steadied it.

We have spent 47 years together, and there is still so much left to write — about the sweet and sour memories we’ve shared, and the many ups and downs of our journey through life. I feel satisfied by giving her a good house to make her home and live a life of dignity. 

23 October 2025