For a Nutmeg like me to inhabit in the ‘Land of Steady Habits’
that is the Constitution State of Connecticut out of all the fifty states
of the US is just a divine Connection. This is a connection defined by two
rivers. One of these two rivers is the good old Mula-Mutha running through Pune
and the other one is River Connecticut running through this US state that is
named on this river. To define this connect in Mathematical
terms, this is a case of linear correlation: What
Pune is to India is what Connecticut is to the USA. And it was very easy for a
diehard ‘Punekar’ like me to assimilate into Connecticut culture.
Let’s start with the parallels in the History. The name
Connecticut is actually a native ‘Indian’ term ‘Quinnehtukqu’ meaning a
long land on the long tidal river. Connecticut
River originates in Canada to reach this state from north cutting the state
centrally to meet long island sound in the south. Initial Dutch Settlers from NY
traveled up here to form small colonies in and around the 1610s. The Pilgrims
who had landed near Boston and later Puritans who came in after the Pilgrims
inhabited the state around the late 1630s during the same time when Shivaji
Maharaj entered in the ravaged city of Pune along with his mother
Jijabai. Pilgrims were the colonists from England who formed New
England to seek out a new life as they were not so well-off people. Puritans
came in later to form new order highlighting conservative values they found
wanting in England that was then. These were well-off people. Thus they tried
to form order through the order of rules. The first constitution was written
here and thus Connecticut is called Constitution State. People from Pune are
also famous for writing their own rules in form of boards named ‘Puneri Patya’.
This is called the state of steady habits with the affinity to comply with
rules and being conservative. People of old Pune were also termed as
conservatives but I disagree with that tag as Pune has given the country many
reformers. This state is called Nutmeg state as people in this state are
eloquent, ingenious, and shrewd that they were able to make and sell
wooden nutmegs.
The same can be said about old residents of Pune. Even now
Connecticut is called ‘Still Revolutionary State' for its role in American
Independence and after. The same can be said about Pune. Connecticut's greatest contribution to the war of
American Independence was the fact that it furnished many supplies to the
Continental Army. The state of Connecticut was an essential
industrial center for World War II. Connecticut produced 54% of all
ammunition for the United States during the war, as well as producing brass,
rubber, and many other things. Just like Pune is playing its role
now in Covid war by supplying Vaccine to the world.
The area of Connecticut is 5543 sq mt which is slightly less than
Pune District. Connecticut is located between NY and Boston just as Pune is
strategically located connecting regions of Deccan to the coast. It
is a part of the Tristate of NY NJ and CT as well part of New England with
Mass, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont. This state along
with the entire New England area turns into heaven in the fall season with fall
colors same as Pune turns into heaven in monsoons. The woods of Connecticut
are very famous. The green slopes, idyllic neat villages, rich towns, lakes,
forests, rivers make this area very beautiful just like the hills around Pune.
This state has a slogan that it’s a state of forests and hills. Winters are
harsh and summers mildly hot and sticky but more or less weather is fine due to
proximity to the coast just as old Pune weather was in the past.
Before and after World War II this was a very industrialized state
making submarines, engineering goods. Many products like Frisbee, Vacuum Cleaner,
sewing machine, toothpaste, dictionary, submarine, can-opener were first made
in the world in Connecticut. After the 90s it lost its prominence due to
taxation policies. To generate revenues this state opened up policies that
allowed setting casinos and till recently boasted top two of the largest Casino
in the western hemisphere (surprised that Connecticut casinos beat Vegas).
Though it is still a financial hub with Hartford, the state capital is called
as the Insurance capital of the world. The state which gave the world J P
Morgan hosts top financial honchos in the rich NY bordering towns like
Greenwich, New Canaan, and Westport. Similarly, Pune became the auto and IT hub
of India. The world-famous universities like Yale, Wesleyan, Connecticut College,
and UConn are located here. It has a rich sports tradition with loyalties for
baseball and football divided between the bigger teams of NY and
MA. UConn basketball history is the richest in the
US. Pune also is known for universities and institutions. US Navy
has few big bases in CT same as the Indian army has bases in Pune.
Pune has great Food culture as Connecticut. The world’s first
lobster roll and the burger were made in Connecticut. The New Haven in CT is
famous for pizza. Celebrities like John Mayer, George W Bush, Meg Ryan,
Katherine Hepburn, Mel Gibson, and Meryl Streep are from this state. Many rich
businessmen, CXOs, have selected the rich towns of Connecticut to Reside and
retire. They say if you are retired rich you are in Connecticut. Pune also was
at one time a retirement paradise.
The human mind is very adaptable as it adjusts to the place where
destiny leads it. My own life journey started near Mula Mutha River and has
reached the banks of this Connecticut River where I have created many memories
as well. Life is like a river always flowing with events leaving back memories
of civilizations along its banks.
