Up until two decades ago, Baner was the under developed outskirt of Pune. Now with the number of shops, cafes, colleges and housing societies on either side of the road, it is hard to believe that life here sprouted up only recently. Chances are, the growth is a result of the educational institutes that have come up in the last 20-30 years, in and around the area.
Most colleges in the vicinity are affiliated with Pune University (or Savitribai Phule Pune University), which is a 20-minute drive away at the most. Pune University, one of the first in the city ranks amongst the top ten in the country. Internationally, Times Higher Education (THE), a UK-based global database on the education industry, positioned it at 16 under the “World’s Best Small Universities Ranking 2016”.
Pune University has 612 affiliated colleges, of which 368 are in the city alone. Founded in 1949, it is because of the evident growth in the number of academic and research institutes here that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru dubbed the whole city as the Oxford of the East. Pune’s expansion began from here.
Riding on the city’s popularity with young learners, MIT Group of Institutions, another affiliation (for select colleges) of Pune University, has founded India’s first accelerator exclusively for edtech startups — Edugild. It sees the edtech industry in India as a US$40 billion opportunity and Pune as its suitable base.
“Pune is a stone’s throw from Mumbai, where all the HNIs, Angel Networks, PE/VC institutional investors and social impact foundations are present,” says Rishi Kapal, Chief Executive, Author and Transition Management Specialist, Edugild. “Most of these institutions have started considering a presence in Pune. Alongside, with high profile institutes, we also have GREX, Kaizen, Sterlite Fund, senior leadership in Pune. Other investors like Indian Angels, Mumbai Angels, ah! Ventures and USF travel into Pune, which makes the approach to funds easier.”
During the 16 week mentorship at Edugild that is based out of the MIT campus, shortlisted participants enrol themselves in interactive workshops, connect with industry experts, beta test their product/solution, learn how to calculate risks associated with their innovation, and meet with potential investors.
On pushing for an answer to why Pune, and not India’s startup capital Bengaluru, was chosen as the base for Edugild, Kapal responds, “Bangalore (sic) has got too much too soon and competition fragments the availability of resources, business opportunities, investor relations and marketing/PR. Pune still has more demand than supply and hence will be fast tracked more than Bangalore’s edtech ecosystem.”
He goes on to say that since MIT is based in Pune, the city is an obvious choice for Edugild. The influx of institutions in and around Pune are viable business opportunities for edtech startups, which also makes the city a rich source of research.
In addition to the locals and indians from other states, especially North India, Pune receives thousands of international students annually, mainly from Africa and the western parts of Asia, amongst other countries. “Each year, more than 900 international students from 85 countries enrol themselves in Symbiosis. They come from all over — Zambia, Syria, Palestine, Bhutan, Bahrain,” says Amruta Ruikar, Executive — International Promotions and International Students Relations at Symbiosis Centre for International Education. It’s not that Pune offers a specialised course to attract the student crowd. “Their [international students’] choice of subjects is vast: management, computer studies, engineering, nursing, medical technology, law, agri business management, economics, banking finance, international business.” And this is just one of the many institutes in the scholastic conurbation on the Deccan plateau.
In fact, as if to punctuate Pune’s status as a student city, the D Y Patil Vidyapeeth University dramatically emerges into view as you approach Pune from the Expressway that connects to Mumbai. It is another one of India’s deemed universities in the city that offers a large bouquet of specialised courses.
“Quality of education is better than in most other Indian cities, and on the international level, better than some countries too,” says a Nigerian national, a student of Pune University. Besides having multiple choices of colleges and universities, Pune has other qualities too that appeal to students. This is apparent from the number of street-food vendors who find it lucrative to line footpaths of Senapati Bapat and other such roads within proximity to colleges. Their customer base is largely under-grad and post-grad students who relish lunches at ₹20 to ₹25 on an average, earning the roadside-chefs roughly ₹1,500 a day. The bigger, yet humble eateries are small coffee shops and fast-food joints with about six tables for groups of four, occupied, again, mostly by these students.
Further, distances in Pune are short, which translates into affordable local transport — auto-rickshaws whose meters start at ₹22. The journey from one end of Baner to the other in Koregaon Park is a little over an hour and costs about ₹250 during peak hours.
As real estate is only now starting to boom, land prices aren’t soaring just yet. Plenty of inexpensive options to rent on a sharing basis, as well as paying-guest accommodations are easily available. Perhaps this is why, as Ruikar states: “Even though we offer hostel facilities to international students, they prefer staying on their own.” Word of mouth and social media supply enough information on accommodation for the youth.
Not just students, these reasonable rates please the working expats too or the multinationals who bring them here. Pune has been welcoming them for since a while now. Some are returning students and others are here on a job transfer or to start a new job.
Engineering and chemical industries are booming in Pune. Tata Motors of the Tata Group is the oldest and largest company here. Mercedes Benz Pune is one of the best unit of Daimler World globally. India’s ₹20,200 crore forging industry is encouraged by the Pune-based Association of Indian Forging Industry. German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp also has its Indian head office in Pune. The city’s IT industry is evaluated at US$10 billion and employs more than two lakh people across 2,000 companies annually. And finally, medical tourism is beginning to flourish with international standards of treatments at affordable prices in world-class hospitals.
Loveena Leonardo, founder of housing brokerage firm Everything Expats says, “As far as I know, about 20 expats easily enter Pune each month. And this is only an estimate figure of which I’m aware. There could be more.” Her firm works with employees of multinational companies who have got transferred to the city. “I find that most come to Pune with an open mind,” adds Leonardo. “Plus, Pune has a good nightlife and there is enough to do here in the evenings.”
Recreational recourses in this once industrial city has burgeoned rather quickly with multiple-brand malls, cinema halls, pubs and mid-range to fine dining restaurants and lounge bars — all of which began to percolate into Pune around the mid-90s. Leonardo says, “As an expat myself, I can easily say that the city is now diverse enough to cater to the needs of different groups and budgets.”
This diversity manifests in the third segment of migrants who flock to Pune, dozens from the west on a daily basis who have a strong spiritual side or are intrigued by the idea of it. The cause of this is Osho International Meditation Resort (OIMR) in the city centre.
OIMR has been in existence since 1974 when spiritual guru Osho or Acharya Rajneesh both six acres of land, in this once quiet neighbourhood, to hold discourses. His death in 1990 moved Osho’s followers to transform the space into a meditation resort where visitors can participate in various programmes and learn more about his philosophies.
“Last year people who visited here had arrived from 119 countries,” says Amrit Sadhana, member of the OIMR management team. “The highest number of nationalities are usually from Germany, USA, Russia, China, UK and Italy.” Not just oversea visitors, but Pune’s expats, Sadhana says, also visit often, as do locals and Indians from other parts of the country. “We offer a special weekend meditation programme for Pune-based workers and for those from across India, which is very popular.” In a month, OIMR receives about a thousand visitors who check into the resort.
Walk down the main Koregaon Park road and you will see a number of Osho followers in their trademark maroon robes roaming about. Through them, locals have found a means of earning by selling rubber-sole slippers made from dry straw with velvet straps. Popular amongst Osho visitors, informally termed as “Osho Slippers”, they are a cheap fashion statement for students too. Being a small city, this community is easily recognised in Pune, and many cafes in the areas have tried to tweak their recipes to match European taste buds.
Acknowledging this volume of foreigners in and out of the city, and demand from industries for better connectivity, Pune airport plans to expand its operations worldwide — either by adding more international routes or by increasing services to more airport hubs.
“There are plans to increase flights to South-East Asia and the Middle East, but we can’t say when,” Pune airport authorities say. Of the four international destinations it connects to, one flight each flies to Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi, and two to Dubai. Within the country, Pune Airport is connected to Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and Jaipur. Airlines that operate out of here are: Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, Go Air, Lufthansa, Air Asia, and Vistara Airlines.
The airport has two runways, and only one is available to Airports Authority of India. It manages 70 take-offs and landings a day and Boeing 747-800 is the largest aircraft it can handle. “It’s a civil enclave,” the airport says. “We are controlled by the Indian Air Force and managed by Airports Authority of India.” This means, Pune is a defence airport and any changes require a green chit from the security department.
When airports think on the lines of expansion, it is an indication of a blossoming economy. Pune is second on the list of smart cities published by the Government of India earlier this year. Soon the city may see a hub for urban innovation where the denizens can synchronise their ideas for a brighter city.
At Pune TiECon 2016, Kunal Kumar, Pune’s municipal commissioner announced: “In order to create an eco-system to bring in collaboration to the smart city movement we have created a forum where everyone can plug and play. People in the academia, start-ups, and government can work together on a virtual platform as well as in person [towards Pune’s snagging issues].”
Pune Smart City Development Corporation, which was formed in March in a 50:50 partnership between the State Government and Pune Municipal Corporation, will receive ₹194 crore from the Union Government to kickstart the project. Kumar has asserted that the second quarter of 2016 will see the implementation of the first five-year plan that will positively affect Pune — making it more attractive than it already is.
GETTING AROUND
To hail an auto rickshaw is easy, but if you’re strapped for time, simply book an Uber through the Uber app downloaded on your smartphone. Alternatively, hire a car for a day as there are a number of options available on the internet.
WHERE TO EAT
Ku Kooch Ku
They have been around since decades and found fame through their famous tandoori or grilled chicken (₹440 for a full chicken). The menu has expanded with gravy dishes, various preparations of chicken and a few vegetarian options as well. They have tables in a humble open-air setting, but locals prefer getting takeaways. Open 6pm to 11pm; tel: +91 9822426301, +91 020 25531861; JM Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Next to PMT Bus Stop, Shivaji Nagar.
Vaishali
This is another city-landmark on Fergusson College Road. Situated within walking distance from the college, after which the road was named, it is packed with students at any given hour. Expect to wait for five-minutes at-least when it’s not peak hours. The specialities are its South Indian dishes such as masala dosa (₹130), onion uttappa (₹80), and idli wada (₹60). Open 7am to 11pm, tel: +91 020 25531244; vaishalihotel.in
Malaka Spice
Pune got its first Malaka Spice in 1997 in Koregaon Park, and since then it has multiplied into Baner and Phoenix Mall. The concept is to bring Asia’s best street food to your table, some with a twist. The randang fish in a banana leaf (₹475), sausage satay (₹340), kari kapitan (₹495) and roti kanai (₹105) are a must-try. Open 11:30am to 11:30pm; te;: +91 20 30162009; malakaspice.com
WHERE TO STAY
Conrad Hotels and Resorts
An upscale brand of Hilton Hotels and Resorts, Conrad Pune is the first in the country. Corporate travellers being an important clientele for them, the hotel’s spa offers bespoke services to meet varying needs, and the gym is available to guests 24-hours. Executive rooms have lounge access with complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails. Shower and bathtub facilities are offered in these rooms too. conradhotels3.hilton.com
Westin Hotels and Resorts
It is within proximity to Pune’s flourishing IT park, and in the upmarket residential area of Koregaon Park. Shower and bathtubs are available across all 277 rooms and suites, as well as tea/coffee maker, 24-hour room service, and a well-sized work desk. Executive rooms have lounge access that offers free breakfast, cocktail hour and refreshments through the day. westinpunekoregaonpark.com
