This document is a remembrance of the late wife Ashwini written by Kushal Dastenavar. It summarizes Ashwini's contributions to the Maharashtra Mandal France (MMF) organization over many years through writing articles, editing work, and performing in cultural events. It fondly recalls Ashwini's memorable mono act performance in 2018. It also reflects on the meaningful final 18 months spent caring for Ashwini during her illness, realizing the true importance of love, care, and togetherness. While specific memories may fade, Kushal will never forget the special moments they shared during that difficult time. Though Ashwini is no longer present, her love and pride for MMF's

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Remembering Ashwini………………………………………………………...
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Remembering Ashwini…
Kushal Dastenavar
My late wife Ashwini had been a proud Maharashtrian. MMF (Maharashtra Mandal
France) kept her Maharashtrian spirit alive in France. Ashwini was present at the inception
meeting of MMF in Paris in 2006 and ever since she rejoiced the sense of belongingness
and identity with the small and happy Marathi community of France. ‘Home away from
home’ sentence rightly defined what MMF meant for Ashwini.
Ashwini’s contribution to MMF has been in multi-fold. Article writing in Diwali
magazine, Editing, Compering, participation in group danse and so on. Her signature
mono act ‘Tee phulrani’ performance in 2018 MMF Diwali event is remembered by one
and all till date and will be remembered in decades to come.
While writing this article in remembrance of Ashwini, I vividly remember those last 18
months from June 14, 2019 to Jan 1, 2021 with Ashwini which formed the most enriching,
deep, and meaningful periods of my life. I realized what makes life worth living, what
really matters in life, how precious is every breath, how silence can be worth a thousand
words, true love has no motive, togetherness is not just a give and take, belongingness is
beyond yours and mine, caring is far beyond words, selflessness means that you nearly
don’t exist.
Those deeply meaningful verses of Bhagwadgeeta, that I could not understand in our so-
called normal life before June 2019, I could feel and understand them during these
eighteen months. At least some of them. I also realized life and death are truly beyond
anyone’s control. No one knows the time of the first and the last breath. We are busy
chasing every other small thing in life like money and fame. We are all vulnerable and
weak when it comes to death. Anything can happen to anyone at any moment. What
matters is how one deals with it and finds meaning in every precious remaining moment.
As human beings, we are boundless energy with enormous power. We realize the true
potential in us only when we are challenged with harsh conditions. Time is the biggest
teacher and faith is the biggest power.

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I may not remember the best vacation, the best food, the best movie or the best party
Ashwini and I enjoyed in our journey of 22 years together, but I would never forget the
best moments we shared together during those eighteen months. The time spent in
giving bath to Ashwini, brushing her teeth, combing her hair, changing her diapers,
cleaning her, dressing her up, feeding her, helping her drink water, waiting for her
smile in appreciation of the tasty chai, singing her favourite songs before her bedtime,
watching her calm and peaceful face for hours together at night, Ashwini unexpectedly
grabbing my hand while I was about to leave, and finally listening to my chanting of
Navkar mantra for three hours as if she were praying with me to parting so peacefully
as the crescendo of everything. These were the ultimate things to remember out of
those profound eighteen months. They were deep, pure, priceless, incomparable, and
complete.
Ashwini’s Maharashtrian spirit well portrayed in her painting of malvani women.

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Ashwini’s signature mono act performace ‘Tee Phulrani’, MMF Diwali event 2018
Though Ashwini is not with me or among us, her love and pride for MMF will remain eternal.

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