We speak to five popular Punekars, who recall their memories in the city and share their vision about Pune’s Future.
Karen Anand, Food Guru
What is that one thing that makes you proud to be a Punekar?
Pune for me means two things: Green open spaces and banyan trees (although that’s becoming less) but compared to Mumbai where I used to live we are still way ahead. Secondly Pune is really about the wonderful down to earth people in this town whether it’s an Irani baker, somebody who cleans your house or an industrialist. And we all, by and large, are reasonably tolerant of each other.
Is there anything you miss about Pune from the past?
Well one thing I miss from the past is the greenery. My past as far as Pune is concerned only stretches to the late 80’s, which is when I came here to live.
Some fond memories about the city…
My fondest memories include eating a thali or having a great chai and samosa at Naaz cafe. I used to love going to Shivaji market, stopping at the Irani bakeries in camp and visiting Chitale. Because of the traffic and my busier life I find these things a bit more difficult to do. I also used to love going to Tulsi Baug and Ram Mandir, which I am happy to say is almost the same as it was. Bapdev ghat which is beyond Kondhwa is one of my favourite quick drives. It’s only 10 minutes from my house and is a good place to breathe and take in some valuable time. I also miss the Osho Ashram as it used to be with Buddha hall as a netted open enclosure.
[pullquote_right]Pune is really about the wonderful down to earth people in this town whether it’s an Irani baker, somebody who cleans your house or an industrialist[/pullquote_right]
How would you like to see Pune few years down the line?
A bit more organised. These are the things I think should be looked at
- Garbage
- Some more arterial roads to ease the traffic
- Some civic sense. We all need to understand the expression “live and let live”.
- More emphasis on culture and heritage
- It would be a perfect place for a café culture. Where do you get brun maska and a good cup of chai nowadays?
According to you what makes Pune unique?
It still retains its ‘town’ like atmosphere even though it’s grown to be a large city.
You would best refer to Pune as…
I best refer to Pune as a city which will soon become a satellite of Mumbai.
Shefali Lahoti, Founder, Kaala Harmony
What is that one thing that makes you proud to be a Punekar?
The richness of culture and tradition. Here a true Punekar knows how to be a true connoisseur of art.
Is there anything you miss about Pune from the past?
Its lush greenery, beautiful weather, laid back attitude. The classicism about everything they do.
[pullquote_right]Love my childhood time spent seeing shows at Balgandhrava Rang Mandir, eatingmisal pav at Bedekar and exploring the city on my black Kinetic Honda.[/pullquote_right]
Some fond memories about the city…
Love my childhood time spent seeing shows at Balgandhrava Rang Mandir, eating misal pav at Bedekar and exploring the city on my black Kinetic Honda.
How would you like to see Pune few years down the line?
Cleaner and organized with better infrastructure. It should become one of the favourites place for tourist worldwide.
According to you what makes Pune unique?
It’s people’s warmth and energy that makes it unique. It has its fast paced life in some areas and laid back attitude in other.
You would best refer to Pune as…
Truly cultural and educational hub.
Dr Deepak Shikarpur, IT evangelist and District Governor (Nominee) Rotary District 3131
What is that one thing that makes you proud to be a Punekar?
Being born in Pune and having so many relatives and friends here, question of not being a Punekar does not arise. As a true Punekar, I feel proud about the people in the city. As a child, my grandmother joked saying, when god made world, he gifted beauty to North and brains to South. But when he came to Pune, he gifted both to Punekars. No wonder most Punekars are beautiful brainy people.
Is there anything you miss about Pune from the past?
Trees, mild weather, big roads, less traffic, pleasure in cycling; everything in nearby vicinity is something I miss a lot about Pune.
Some fond memories about the city…
There are plenty of them that I can write an essay. In my childhood I used to frequent Peshwe Park, Sarasbag, Parvati and enjoyed Bhel at Kalpana Bhel Tilak Road. Also sweets from Kaka Halwai made me happy. During college days, I remember watching Hollywood blockbusters of 70’s “Towering Inferno” at Rahul Theatre for Rs 3 and 30 paisa.
[pullquote_left]Trees, mild weather, big roads, less traffic, pleasure in cycling; everything in nearby vicinity is something I miss a lot about Pune.[/pullquote_left]
How would you like to see Pune few years down the line?
Focus on progress, development and commercialization has lead to haphazard growth. Having a planned phase wise growth perhaps is a dream. Sometimes dreams do become a reality.
According to you what makes Pune unique?
Pune has good liveable climate, ample water, good human resources, global mindset and excellent foreign language training in Japanese, German, French and Spanish. It has strong mother industry in Engineering, Education and world class research institutes such as CDAC, NIV, NCL, ARI, ARAI and can be a leader in Product developments and Bio Infomatics. No wonder the pensioners’ paradise is fast becoming an Industrial destination.
You would best refer to Pune as…
City of 21st Century.
Varun Venkit, Founder Taal, Inc
The first thing that comes to your mind when we say Pune…
First few things actually wada pav, misal, (food is one of my major anchors to any place) pohe, cutting chai, childhood, rickshaw, university fountain (right where we presently have those magnanimous flyovers), Pune chowpati and so much more.
One thing you miss about Pune from the past?
Not living up to the name ‘The Cycle City’. We used to have so many cycles that they outnumbered vehicles in the ‘Pensioners paradise’ as it used to be called. I am however glad that more people are cycling and going green.
Some fond memories about Pune
I remember as a kid, my parents used to bring my brother and me to the university fountain to play in the evenings. There used to be other families enjoying the distant spray of the water and the occasional vehicle did not bother us. I remember running around the fountain since that’s what kids do and the next thing I remember is being face-first in the water. Now the water wasn’t too clean or anything and in spite of this, it didn’t seem to mind. I walked home proudly wet; my parents didn’t think the same of course. Good old, fun times.
[pullquote_right]I would like to see honestly, better city planning, more citizen consciousness and a pledge from both ends to always be honest and work towards a better living, a harmonious way of living[/pullquote_right]
How would you like to see Pune few years down the line?
I would like to see it retain its character and not become a clone of Mumbai. I’m afraid that at the rate we are going, it’s too late for that. I would like to see honestly, better city planning, more citizen consciousness and a pledge from both ends to always be honest and work towards a better living, a harmonious way of living.
According to you what makes Pune unique?
To me, it is the weather, the food and the melting pot of cultures that it already is. What makes Pune, PUNE, is that in spite of extremist politics, fast cars, spicy food, rash driving, communal harmony and disharmony we will always close shot from 2-4pm for out evening chai and nap! Kassa Kai Pune!!:).
Abhimanyu Sable, Founder, Abs Fitness clubs
What is that one thing that makes you proud to be a Punekar?
The best part of Pune is its size, its perfect, not too big and not too small. I can travel from one end to the other in just 30 minutes or maximum 40 minutes in prime hours. As I do travel from one Abs club to another from Kotrhud to Magarpatta and from Bavdhan to Mukundnagar, where we have our clubs it’s so convenient.
Is there anything you miss about Pune from the past?
I miss the empty roads, it’s not bad now, but earlier walking on roads was easy, today doing the same is quite impossible. I do miss the early morning jogs on road.
Some fond memories about the city…
Every single day of my life is full of memories about this beautiful city. It is impossible to choose one, but still remember in 1985 to 1988 we use to visit Shivaji market to eat bananas and eggs after our workouts. We ate almost 3 to 4 dozens of bananas at one time and the entire market use to know us by name.
How would you like to see Pune few years down the line?
Completely developed with good roads, connectivity, slum free and most important it should keep its Puneri charm.
[pullquote_left]Every single day of my life is full of memories about this beautiful city. [/pullquote_left]
According to you what makes Pune unique?
Pune has the right mix of people and that is what makes it unique.
You would best refer to Pune as…
City who has made people aware about Fitness with Fun
