ANUBHAV of the "DANDIYA QUEEN" Ms. FALGUNI PATHAK :
Apghat Bhay Jaii, Tale Akal Maran!
(Falguniveera Pathak)
On the occasion of the Rankala Mahotsav, sponsored by the Maharashtra State Government and the M.T.D.C., I had to perform a stage show on the 15 of February 2007 at Kolhapur. On 14th February, at 10.00 a.m., we viz. my friend, driver and myself left for Kolhapur in our Innova car.
We halted at Pune around 12.30 p.m. for tea and snacks. Thereafter on the further journey both my friend and myself dozed off to sleep on the back seat of the car. Normally I always sit in the seat next to the driver. But because the rear seat of the Innova can be reclined we both decided to sit in the rear seat.
When I was roused from my snooze, I realized that our car was traveling on the Pune – Satara Expressway at a speed of about 120 Km/hr. and I suddenly realized that O God! Even the driver had dozed off to sleep. At that very moment I saw a S.T. bus coming from the opposite direction with great speed. Immediately I warned the driver. That moment he strongly applied the brakes of the car, the car veered a little to the left and instead of a head-on collision with the S.T.bus, the bus hit the car on the side.
The impact was so severe that the car was totally smashed. The engine was totally smashed, and the front two wheels were also totally broken. Even the rear window glass was totally shattered and hot vapours and smoke was coming out from the engine. Even the S.T. bus was equally damaged on the left side. But what was surprising that there was not a scratch or any form of injury to all three of us in the car and also to anyone in the S.T. bus!
All this happened so suddenly and quickly, that we were all dazed and confused and remained seated in the car for some time. The villagers who had gathered there advised us to get out of the car, as there was a possibility of the car catching fire. All three of us were trembling with fright. But the villagers were very surprised to find us all hale and hearty and safe. “How did you get saved?” we could see this question clearly written on their faces.
The police arrived and started investigating. We were told to come to the police station. But we were worried how we would transfer our entire luggage, which we had carried for the stage show.
At that instant a gentleman wearing a white shirt and gray pant came and stood in front of us. He started enquiring of us from where we had come and where we were going. But we were hesitating to give any information to him. Realizing this, he said “Do not fear, I too am a Bapu Bhakta. Seeing Bapu's photo on your car I came forward to help you.” Hearing this we got a little courage in our minds.
That unknown person immediately arranged to hire a Maruti Van. He himself transferred with great care the entire luggage from that car to the van. Then we sent my friend along with the luggage ahead and the driver and myself, we went to the police station very frightened. From there at first we informed P. Sameerdada on the phone in Mumbai. Shri Sameerdada himself came to the phone immediately and he gave us great support by his reassurance. He informed us that he would immediately send our colleagues from the Satara and Wai Kendra. We felt greatly relieved.
As told by P.Sameerdada within 20 minutes the volunteers from Satara and Wai Kendra's arrived. They all gave us a lot of support. The case papers of the accident were made and that too in such a way that we could get the reimbursement of the major amount of the entire expenses. They also arranged to transport my damaged vehicle by truck back to Mumbai. I left my driver to rest at the house of a Wai volunteer and I started back for my stage show in Kolhapur. The volunteers from P. Sameerdada's office in Mumbai were constantly in touch with us during this difficult time and were continuously supporting us.
The stage show on the 15th of February was a great success. After the show was over whilst speaking to the organizers I was told that during the entire duration of the show 3 white pigeons were sitting on the stage. The pigeons did not move away even an inch for the entire show, in spite of the loud sound and glaring lights… The gentleman wearing white shirt and gray trousers and these three pigeons… I realized the indication. Though I was not aware of this, I offer my salutations to my Sadguru Mauli P.P. Aniruddha Bapu who is always with me.
||| HARI OM ||
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