Page 29 - Vasant Bahar

My Workplace - Gokul Shirgaon

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wo of my separated uncles along with my father and us
Tlived in Gokul Shirgaon and Valivade. My father had
sold our ancestral house of Valivade to Rs. 1500 to his brother
and settled down his loans. 7 acres land of Gokul Shirgaon

was taken over by MIDC only for Rs. 35000. Our house of
Gokul Shirgaon and its front yard was taken over for the
expansion of highway. And hence, we had to adjust in the
remaining small place.

5 gunta's out of 35 gunta's land of Valivade was bought
by my youngest uncle. And other 5 gunta's land was claimed
by my other uncle. I took a legal action to stop that deal and
gave back the advance.
My village Gokul Shirgaon is located on the Pune-
Banglore highway no.4. There were many small and big
Banyan trees on the highway. That highway was single road.
There was no heavy traffic. The village roads were not so

good. All the villagers used to travel by the bullock cart or
prefer walking. Cycle was the only vehicle used in the village.
It was a tiny village with nearly 1800 population. We children
and women used to carry the water buckets on our head.
Women used to go to Kolhapur for selling curd and milk.
In 1980, as MIDC entered, the village started developing.
Now, the population of the village is 45000. Gokul shirgaon

VASANT BAHAR / 21