Walk into ‘Maitri’ – a serene bungalow in Bhatar, and you’ll find more than just a home – a friendship so profound, it has flowed through four generations, from fathers to sons, to grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.
In an age where texts replace heartfelt conversations and digital connections overshadow real-life bonds, a heartwarming tale from Surat reminds us that true friendship can survive even death.
Walk into ‘Maitri’ – a serene bungalow nestled in Bhatar, and you’ll find more than just a home. You’ll witness a living legacy- a friendship so profound, it has flowed through four generations, from fathers to sons, to grandchildren and now great-grandchildren.
The roots of this remarkable bond trace back to 1940, when two boys, Bipin Desai and Gunwant Desai, crossed paths at Sarvajanik School in Surat. Neighbours in Sagarampura, they walked to school hand-in-hand, swapped lunchboxs, and dreamt together under the shade of banyan trees unaware that their innocent camaraderie would one day sculpt a legacy of unity and love.
When the nation stirred with Mahatma Gandhi’s call for the Quit India Movement in 1942, the duo barely out of school joined the revolution. Shoulder to shoulder, they distributed anti-British pamphlets, led protests, and even endured imprisonment together. Their friendship only deepened.
Post-Independence, the bond continued to flourish as both enrolled at the agricultural university in Pune. Upon graduating, they returned to Surat not just with degrees, but with shared dreams. Over the decades, they ventured into farming, dairy, contract work, and various enterprises always as partners.
What began as a simple school friendship has now blossomed into a living tradition. Their descendants—children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—remain inseparable, celebrating birthdays, festivals, and milestones together, still guided by the spirit of the original bond.