Society

The Shivaji Park Taakis

Two decades ago, they’d meet at a water tank here. They are back again, as a Whatsapp group.

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The Shivaji Park Taakis
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Back then, two decades ago that is, they all used to hang out together, near a small water tank close to the Shivaji Park Gymkhana in Mumbai. All went to different schools or colleges—Balmohan School, Ruparel College or Kirti College. Then they grew older, drifted apart, lost track of each other. None in the 40-strong Shivaji Park Taaki group—or just Taakis as they were called—had in 1997 hoped that they would get together again. They did and are hanging out again, on Whatsapp. Not just marriages, postings abroad and deaths, but even the little things—latest haircut, kids and their birthdays—the app keeps them up to date on all.

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They are a motley group—Alap Korde, 33, runs a travel and tourism business, Siddharth Sawant, 29, works in the IT sector, Mandar Rahate is a government servant—and all are between 25 and 40 years of age. Now their spouses too are part of the group. At least 8 to 10 members of the group meet daily or several times during the week, to catch up on the Shivaji Park water tank. And Whatsapp has been a useful and constant thread in their relationship. “We have definitely become closer than before because it is much easier to be in touch about every small thing. The information is relayed instantly and many times it’s of vital importance,” says Alap Korde. Like the time the relative of a group member required blood during a surgery.

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However, he misses the days when birthday parties used to be filled with surprises at the tank and friends used to chat about everything under the sun. “Now the conversations are about who said what on Whatsapp, how someone was ragged and which joke was funny etc because we already know every­thing that has happened during the day. Even when we meet everyone is constantly messaging. Sometimes I miss the spontaneity of meeting in person.”

It’s still a great way to stay in touch with friends who are staying far or out of the city, distance then is no barrier in their participating in Taaki events. And there are enough of those—weekend meetings, get-togethers for festivals, celebrations for birthdays and so on. “In fact, it is so easy to organise now bec­ause of the group message. One message, one click and a party is planned!” says Shashank while planning a Diwali get-together, of course on Whatsapp.

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