Prologue
I have nothing against Pune and much for it. Hence I have spiced up my review with a VIDEO for the betterment of PUNE - (sarcastic grin starts) Here is a video to applaud the sincere efforts of the honest to core and un-money-guzzling Pune Municipal Corporation. Here is a demonstration of its appluadable work, its impecceble staff (sarcastic grin ends) - all uncovered thanks to the work of a few good citizens motivated to make it better.
Visit: https://betterpune.com and join Amit kadam of BetterPune.com and all of Pune junta to really make it the happiest city in India (source: TOI) !
Now read about the rosy side....
Introduction
Far and wide has spread its fame For this is the land where Shivaji came Because of whose deeds it became The Queen of the Deccan plateau… This humble ode from me certainly can’t claim to project the complete vision of the vast gigantic multi-faceted city of Pune, but it does drive home the fact that this is indeed one of the most well-known cities on the cultural and historical maps of humankind. Pune has a rich cultural history dating back thousands of years, right from when it grew out of a small village and this land has seen many things as it grew into a city along the banks of the rivers Mula and Mutha.
Climate
Pune is a popular escape from Mumbai’s sweltering heat and humidity. Its climate is a sort of granted legend – It is bracing in the monsoons when it pours and people can collect hailstones after a wet shower. It is cold in the winter (Pune’s winter is called “Gulabi Thandi” ie. a season where your cheeks become rosy pink) and you will find everyone with warm clothing. Summer mornings are bracing and just right for long walks, while the afternoons are best to be indoors as it is unbearably scorching hot. Most Pune-ites I know have a flair for “climate dressing” – you will find young girls wrapping up their complete faces in a cloth / scarf to avoid the cold “getting in” (ditto for pollution), and to me they appear to be willing to embrace the “purdah” system of hiding their faces, which incidentally is being resisted by Muslim women the world over.
The Geographical Boundaries of Pune
For practical purposes, Pune has been divided into three major parts – the Cantonment area where Government organizations stand proud in expansive lush green surroundings, and the main city area covering the “Peths”, drowned in hustle and bustle, and full of old buildings, and finally the upcoming suburbs like Aundh, Vimannagar, Bawdhan, and Nigdi.
The Pune of Government Establishments
Pune has been popular as a military base, with defence organizations like the NDA, DRDO, and innumerable others like the Armament factory and the Cantonment area abound. Here the streets are wide and well-maintained, one can go for walks and be solitary and undisturbed, see the sunrise and spot the quiet governmental Pune-ites taking their early morning jog.
The Working Pune
The industrial development of Pune began early, with mechanical giants like Kirloskar, TELCO, Bajaj, Garware Industries setting up huge manufacturing plants that have found employment for so many middle class Pune-ites. You can spot their respective fleet of company buses in the morning, picking up their employees from residential areas, and finally meeting to move on as a procession to the work places. The job scenario has however now shifted to the IT Industry, and with the establishment of the Information Technology park at Hinjwadi on the outskirts, more and more IT companies like Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, Geometric, Persistent and PCS have come up with world class development facilities, attracting the brightest talent from all over the country to their glittering towers.
The Travelling Pune
For my comments on the commuting in Pune better read my review on MouthShut: Traffic In Pune https://mouthshut.com/readreview/48407-1.html vrrrrrrooomm…. Pune is moving fast, but let’s hope it will move more carefully!
Beautiful Pune, Historical Pune, and in short The Tourist’s Pune!
The city is a great spot for tourism, and here are the places to visit on landing: The Aga Khan’s Palace A historical royal abode with Italian arches, vast suites and and spacious lawns. Kasturba Gandhi died here. Shaniwar Wada This magnificent fort was built by the Peshwas in 1736 at the huge sum of Rs.20, 000 :-) , and its remains rest in the heart of the city. Bund Garden Main attraction here is the evening boat rides, horse rides, jogging park, bhel-puri, pani-puri etc Pataleshwar Caves An 8th century rock cut temple with a Shiva shrine and a Nandi idol. Parvati Hill and Temples Osho Commune Over 31 acres of lush green surroundings for learning more than 100 different meditation techniques Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum An incredible collection of most fascinating artifacts collected by a single individual including the ‘Mastani Mahal’ University Of Poona Stately mansions at Ganeshkhind, lush green grounds make up one of the oldest universities in India. National Defense Academy Film and Television Institute of India On the Law College Road, this institute imparts training in all branches of film making. Regulars include Dev Anand etc. Pashan Lake Bird-watchers paradise, a number of migratory birds alight here. Sinhagad The ’’Fortress of the Lion’’, it is 25 km from Pune. Worth a visit if you wish to be transported back to history. Shinde Chhatri A temple is in Wanowrie, built as a tribute to the Great Maratha Mahadji Shinde. Chaturshrungi Temple A temple of Goddess Durga on a hill off Senapati Bapat Road. These treats can be covered cheaply by taking the Pune Mahanagarpalika “Pune Darshan” bus service if you wish to have a whirlwind one-day tour.
Pune – The People
To name the personalities of Pune is to enumerate the awe inspiring names of the independence leaders – this city was home to Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and to the Chafekar brothers who killed the tyrannical Commissioner R a n d in Ganeshkhind. There are innumerable others. The most multi-faceted personality of Pune? Who else than the king of literature P. L. Deshpande, the writer whose hilarious pen marked out life in philosophical terms while making you laugh.
Pune - The Gastronomical Paradise
“Live to Eat” or “Eat to Live”? Instead of pondering over this rather impertinent question, Pune-ites regularly feast on the sweets and snacks of Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, famous for Bakarwadi. You can finding people in hotels even in the late night hours – F.C. Road and J.M. Road are thriving with life even at midnight.
Shopping?
“There is nothing in the world which cannot be purchased at Laxmi Road, Pune or Ranade Road, Dadar, Mumbai” – P. L. Deshpande But yes the same Pu La reminds us – for a Pune shopkeeper, the least valuable item in his store is the customer! So do visit Pune, well connected by road, rail and air; today it is a pleasure to drive on the fast, clean, wide and well-maintained Mumbai-Pune Expressway - you can enter Pune within three hours of starting from Mumbai. Avoid coming by air from Mumbai, since the airport at Vimannagar is nowhere near to Pune’s attractions or habitation, so you usually end up with an expensive taxi / rickshaw bill (which is sure to be ’inflated’ by the