‘Will miss family, friends and colleagues a lot’

Nagpur: In between rounds of socializing and attending weddings in the city, the CM’s wife Amruta Fadnavis chats with TOI and shares her thoughts on life in Mumbai, which will be her home from new year onwards, and her plans to remain connected to the city of her birth.
With a trace of sadness, Amruta speaks of leaving behind family and friends. “But it has to be done as my commitment to my husband is far greater,” says Amruta.“Devendra needs a helping hand and I think this exposure will do a lot of good to my daughter Divija.” A bit wistful at the prospect of saying good byes she adds, “The family, friends and my colleagues will be missed a lot.”
Describing Nagpur as a city of warm people, Amruta says, “The people here love without expectations. They love you for what you are and not for what you can do for them.” Snapping out of the mood, she is quick to add, “But I will be coming to the city every weekend as I have a five-day working at office.”
Being a working woman, she has a job to attend at the Parel branch of Axis Bank where she has been transferred recently. Agreeing that her professional commitment may not permit her to accompany the CM all the time, she says, “I don’t accompany Devendra unless it is imperative. I have always spaced my schedule to be present at places other than where Devendra is present. That helps us to cover maximum events,” she says and adds that her job will certainly get in the way in the sense that she will not get to play the part of CMs wife very regularly. “I would prefer to be at places where my presence will be of use rather than just accompanying him.”
Prepared to give up her personal space to help her husband cope with his social commitments, Amruta says that she has already been overshadowed by the CM. “I realize that I have to be his voice on various occasions. In my own capacity, I would now like to associate only with areas of my interest and social causes.”
The Mumbai traffic jams too are playing on her mind as commuting time would increase. “On weekdays, it will take me 45 minutes to reach my office if there is no traffic jam. Systematic time management will help me utilize time optimally,” she says. “Wherever things will get difficult, I will make a request to my seniors. At home my mother-in-law will be with us and my mother too would be visiting frequently. Both will help me cope. And if it gets too tough, then I would take a call at a suitable time,” she says on the issue of quitting her job.
Surprisingly, it is the CM’s five-year-old daughter Divija who is not very keen on shifting to Mumbai. The parents are considering putting her either in Cathedral and John Connon School or Bombay International School considering the proximity to Varsha, the official residence of the CM. Amruta has also told the current school administration in Nagpur to keep a seat reserved for her as she may return to the city after five years. Amruta is trying to talk her into it. “She doesn’t want to leave her friends so I have promised to get her a puppy in Mumbai as she could not get one here,” says the mother. “She liked Varsha, the official residence in Mumbai, when we spent a night there. And since both her parents would be there, she is now OK with the idea,” adds Amruta.
It’s the CMs constituency which will continue to remain her focus. “I will be connected with all party workers through weekend visits and phone,” says Amruta who also hopes to strengthen her connect with ABVP and set up social organizations which will work for cause of girl child and child malnutrition. “These issues, core party workers, family, and Nagpur friends will remain my top priority.”