Steering the course

Shooting jolly smiles after every statement uttered is ‘Dattumama’. He isn’t sure of his age,(“Just write 56 or 57,what does it matter?”),but any person will vouch for the 36 proud years he has spent at the campus. “We have every possible form of boats here,updated to the latest,” he starts. Rajesh Bhalekar,lifeguard Satish Kachi,Kamble and Ashutosh Kumbhar start intermittently smiling and squirming in their seats as Dattumama lets his rudderless words tumble out. “The river has degraded so much,the water is sometimes shallow and not clean. I am a simple man,what is there for me to hide?” he laughs.

Sunday saw another grand COEP Regatta enthrall the city. Every year,this famous boating contest witnesses impassioned river slaps and furious competition. Steering the two-and-a-half-months of intensive training before the event are these sturdy men. “Things sure have changed in the past few years,the boats have gotten better but attendance has dipped a bit as academics have taken over. Not many pursue the hobby once they pass out due to job pressures. But the club still inspires so much dedication; there are some ex-students who descend to the city a few days before the regatta to assist the competitors,” says ‘Rajumama’ Bhalekar,a veteran of 22 years in the college.

The boat club has produced names that have featured in national-level championships. Amongst the high stacks of sinewy boats,wood and fibre glass co-habit jovially. The members take their first,literal,dip by learning swimming. Then begin their rowing days. As the spirited conversation in Marathi continues,Kachi and Kumbhar shuffle their feet awkwardly. Kachi was a farmer near Sangamwadi before joining as a lifeguard four years ago. “My father used to be here in the college,and he eased my way in,” he finally speaks up. Kachi doesn’t train,but has picked up all aspects of it over the years. Kumbhar started his affiliation with last year’s regatta and has been a faithful protégé of the master teachers here.

In the age of fickle job-hopping,these men remind of old-world work ethics. “Our fathers practically stayed at this campus,they never knew holidays. We started learning right from our childhood,and we can tell you of every pit and depression around the river,” says Rajumama. Kamble adds,“We get immense love and support from the students and the staff here. A new set of learners comes to us every year,that’s what keeps us going. We revel in the enthusiasm of this place.” Missing in the conversation was a trainer of seven years. Satish Bhapkar was getting some good sleep after his night duty.