My Cup of Tea

Tekdi

Tekdi is a Marathi word which means a hill or a small mountain.

For me, Tekdi is an institution.

The city of Pune is blessed by some really nice weather almost throughout the year, and a landscape that you will not get bored of that easily. This city is aptly called as the "Queen of the Deccan", a real jewel on the Deccan Plateau that occupies a major part of peninsular India. If I want to mention one thing that's really special about the landscape here is the necklace of hills that surrounds Pune and at a few places even penetrates deep into the city from three sides. These hills are favourite getaways for a variety of folks (not necessarily in that order):
a. Fitness freaks
b. Lovers
c. Senior citizens
d. Kids and their (usually panting by the time they reach the hilltop) mothers
e. Some really cute birds (read girls if you're a guy ;-))

You'll find loads of activity going on atop the hills in the early hours of the morning and in the evening. People coming to exercise will be seen jogging along the pathways (listening to iPods these days); lovebirds will usually be seen in pairs meandering along or cuddled up somewhere admiring the beautiful scenery (and each other, of course)...If you observe carefully enough, either of them will still give an admiring glance to some hunk or babe passing by; senior citizens will be seen striding past enthusiastically (I admit, these are the most enthusiastic and sincere people I see on Tekdi :)), but even more zealously, they will be discussing about the nation's state in world politics or some ongoing scandal in such a high tone that it could even be heard by Dr. Manmohan Singh sitting in his office on Raisoni Hills (that's in New Delhi, by the way)...kids will be running here and there playing around having their best time of the day...It's a really energetic and cheerful atmosphere up there.

It's precisely this thing that makes Tekdi an institution for me - it really refreshes my body and mind when I go there once or twice a week after work. You get to see so many different people having a good time, that it rubs on you automatically. I get to meet some old friends who I don't see too often these days; and all this happens as a bonus just as I try my bit to maintain my fitness! Tekdi means a lot more to quite a few other people than to myself - so much so that they go there every day and spend 2-3 hours there, have websites and community groups dedicated to Tekdi and what not...in fact, I know a few couples that met each other for the first time on Tekdi, grew in relationship and got married! Tekdi has become the de facto community centre for a good number of Pune's citizens now...

posted by Sandeep Limaye @ 1/13/2006 04:54:00 pm