Words cannot express. Words cannot express how we felt when we recently visited a village in Maharashtra, India named Maliwada. Jack, and I along with our adult son, Peter, were visiting India for the first time. We were guests of Sushil, Vinod and Kamela Parekh. Back in the 90s, our family sponsored, Sangeeta, Sushil and Sarah Parekh's daughter, while she was attending college in New Jersey. Some of you may remember way back in the late 70s when Sarah and Sangeeta were living in Kemper for a few years. Sarah brought Sangeeta from India to Chicago to attend a school that would teach the little 3-year-old to speak aloud in English. Sangeeta was born profoundly deaf. At that time, we became friends. Then in 1994 Sangeeta began her college studies in the US. We had not seen Sangeeta since she returned to India in 1996. It was a lovely reunion with her and her family and also with her uncle and aunt, Vinod and Kamala and other dear friends along the way. We visited Mumbai, Pune, Aurangabad and Nashik. While we were visiting with Vinod and Kamala, they took us to visit Maliwada. What an experience. The residents were dressed for a holiday. We were greeted in the Indian way with welcoming ceremonies, marigold leis, shawls, and the men with Gandhi hats. There was an extraordinary gathering at the Grand Panchayat Hall, when elders spoke and testified to the amazing development that had happened in their village. Pundlik Dhangare began by recounting the journey of using the methods to create their dream for Maliwada. He sang the songs of the village. I had been crying before but his testimony (in Marathi) was so gratifying, one couldn't help but experience the emotions of this large group filling the hall. Other speakers included Shankar Davtkar, Dondiram Jagdhane and Ram Udavanti. Shankar spoke in English! Everyone was so excited to see Vinod and Kamala, who were greeted in such a loving and grateful way. We found ourselves being witnesses to the accomplishments of the villagers over the last 45 years. We visited several homes, walking under the Maliwada gateway arch on the paved road. Not shacks, not small dwellings. No, these were large two or three story concrete homes with indoor toilets, ant-proof kitchens and rooftop gardens. The residents were so proud of the lovely dwellings. We visited with three different families. We also visited the sawmill, which makes wooden packaging for a local business. The hardworking men showed us how the wood makes its transformation from tree to thin planks, ideal for the job. There is a new petrol station in town! Since a new highway is being planned to come nearby Maliwada, this provides another opportunity for business. The women and children looked good, healthy, and happy with bright eyes. We loved talking with them. Some may remember Rukmani Dhangare. She is vibrant and loved showing off their new home. First, hosting us in their old small house, showing us pictures of the old days at the beginning of the project and showing us their notebooks full of planning and methods and then taking us to the rooftop garden of the new house next door with its grand view of the fort. People gave us flowers, fruits, shawls, and great warmth and love. It is something we will never forget. We of course, were witnessing the gratitude of a place and people who for 40 + years have implemented their plans, together. They could never have done it without the amazing sacrifice, care and human resources so many of you brought to that little dusty spot below the ancient fort. We wanted to let you know that what you gave in those difficult early times has transformed a people and their community. We met a son who is a college-educated engineer. "India is a wonderful place, Maliwada is my home" sang Pundlik. And so it is. Louise Ballard Picture taken in front of the Grand Panchayat Hall
