There is a quiet serinity to the whole place. The ancient building (some from 1890s) and the ancient forests took you back in time.
March 2025. This was our last trip to the Mahabaleshwar MTDC. Now it is gone. Sold to some private contractor.
Over the years we have come here often. Starting from 2007. In the early days it used to be boys trips to the dormitories on week days or in the off-season. We used to have all the space to ourselves. We have had many a great time. One such epic trip from 2009 is documented here
We used to roam the points. Talk nonsense. Come back to the market to eat - chinese from Bahadur's cart, makkai pattice, strawberry and cream at Bagicha. Then head back to the MTDC for long sessions of daaru and jua and warewolf.
Then family trips. Me and Jo once randomly came and stayed here while returning to Pune from the Konkan -- we took the scenic route. We will miss you MTDC. Truly so.
Over the years we have come here often. Starting from 2007. In the early days it used to be boys trips to the dormitories on week days or in the off-season. We used to have all the space to ourselves. We have had many a great time. One such epic trip from 2009 is documented here
We used to roam the points. Talk nonsense. Come back to the market to eat - chinese from Bahadur's cart, makkai pattice, strawberry and cream at Bagicha. Then head back to the MTDC for long sessions of daaru and jua and warewolf.
Then family trips. Me and Jo once randomly came and stayed here while returning to Pune from the Konkan -- we took the scenic route. We will miss you MTDC. Truly so.
The cottages nestled amongst the trees. This gave a vibe found nowhere else on the hill-station.
The ancient trees, all garnled and twisted
Politics and purposeful neglect. That is the story here.
The Market
After day long trips to the surrounding countryside to visit the points, the tired junta gravitate towards the famaliar hustle and bustle of the market. Here we find food and above all - shopping!
Strawberry seller
The ubiqutious Vada Pav
One of the food carts.
Buddhi ke baal
A local woman selling combs.
Kid's footware
Big lady-kid's footware
Shopping is the passtime. There was a time when places like these offered unique wares and local art. Now everything is made in China and available everywhere.
All photos shot on the Sony A7RIII with the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm F1 lens
Serious Observations of a Funny World
2 comments:
What is bad about it?! It's a wonderful news. The property will finally be in the hands of someone who understands it's worth. Government is just incapable of running such businesses. They neither have the vision nor the competence. They just ruin all good things.
Hi 'Anonymous' - One must remember that the wonderful property remained more or less maintained for over a 100 years because it was not open to exploitation. It's not about development only. Its also about maintaining things. Sometimes private players may be useful but more often than not, they will exploit for profit. That is their nature.
MTDC was formed so that the general population has a chance to enjoy beautiful places at a reasonable cost. Lesser facilities, but also lesser cost.
We cannot replace government (public service) inefficiencies with private exploitation. We should fight to get the services operating better by demanding accountability rather than selling it off the private players.
Look at Amby valley. One of the most beautiful bio diversity hotspots in the wester ghats ... A walled playground of the super rich. The people's land.
Peace.
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