As if there weren't enough controversies around the Pune airport already, the great Mr. Suresh Kalmadi has proposed to rename it as the 'Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj International Airport'. Consider this, Shahu Maharaj has absolutely no connection with Pune. Pune even during his time was governed by his prime minister, Bajirao Peshwe who actually stayed here. Personally , I think that the Shahu College of Engineering is probably his strongest connection to Pune.

So, I try and imagine an scenario 50 years down the line when Chhatrapati fever is at its highest. I can see it now, Pune renamed to Shahunagar/Peshwepur/Jijaigaon or whatever the hell catches their fancy. Imagine a time when Fergusson becomes 'Thorle Chhatrapati Shaikshanik Vidyalay' if you will.

You get up to read your daily 'The Chhatrapati of India'/'The Chhatrapati Express'. You turn to page 3, now incidentally known as the Chhatrapati page to find out what happened at 10,Chhatrapati Street or the Chhatrapati Lounge. Complimented by a strong cup of Neschhatrapati. You’re angry, your favourite Chhatrapati and Hobbes strip is missing today. It does not look like this will be a bad day. You get all ready and drive to work in Chhatrapati Udyog Limited's latest 800 cc offering.A guy just misses hitting you head on. ‘Chhatrapati-fucker ! ’ you yell at him. Its your brand new car, you had to save up a lot of Chhatrapatis; you should have yelled more. You drive down Chhatrapati Marg, turn left at Chhatrapati stop, cross the 7 Chhatrapatis chowk to reach the International Chhatrapati Centre. There’s your office, sandwiched between CSPL and Chhatrapati Instruments. You head to work and greet sixty other people who are all named Chhatrapati, just like you. You then head a meeting for implementing Six Chhatrapati quality management. Later you boot up your lapchhatrapati. You remember its now loaded with Chhatrapati Buruj XP, secretly wishing you had the money that Chhatrapati Gates does.

You've had enough, you need a break. You turn on your iChhatrapati and start to browse unchhatrapatipedia. You thank god for Led Chhatrapati and Chhatrapati Floyd. Its lunch time. You sing the mandatory ‘Hail to the Chhatrapati’ that is required before ever meal. Your over strict boss makes sure of it. He reminds you suspiciously of १९८४’s Big Chhatrapati. Almost quitting time, you keep reminding yourself. Your friend brings over his C-series phone to show you. You smile, knowing your Moto Chpt is much better. That reminds of a phone call u have to make. You pick up a directory; it has only one section, the alphabet ‘C’. Quitting time. You leave, eyeing the Executive Chhatrapati’s office on your way out.

You’re home again. You’re too tired to cook dinner, its McChhatrapati’s again. You turn on the TV. Star Chhatrapati’s ‘Kyunki Thorle Chhatrapati Bhi Kabhi Chhatrapati the’ is going on. You switch immediately to the National Chhatrapati Channel. Its no use, even CBO’s ‘Chhatrapati: Nikalacha Diwas’ holds no interest for you. Wait, its Monday. ‘That Chhatrapati Show’, ‘Everybody Loves Chhatrapati’, ‘CSI: Chhatrapati’ all your favorites are on. You decide to catch up on the news, shuffling between CBC and Chhatrapati 24x7. Our latest carrier the ‘Veer Chhatrapati ‘ was launched today. The Prime Chhatrapati of Chhatrapatistan has just been assassinated. The Formula Chhatrapati season begins tomorrow. Enough, you shuffle channels and finally end up watching ‘Kaun Banega Chhatrapati’. Time for bed, its another bright sunny Chhatrapati day tomorrow.

To think it all started with an airport name.

This started over a discussion with Akshay and Mihir, many thanks to them.