Pune

Pune (earlier known as Poona) is a small city, about 200 kilometres from Bombay (Mumbai)

It is slowly turning into an IT centre, giving stiff competition to Bangalore.

One of the IT companies in Pune (this is one land mark you can see when you approach Pune by air)

The “Red church” is not a church but a synagogue which is one of the landmarks of Pune. You can see cycles in this picture. It is ironical that Pune was once known as the city of cycles. (recently I discovered that this picture of the Red church is appearing in Wikipedia)

Main street is real busy during peak time, but if you happen to be an  early morning visitor you can see children practicing roller skates.

All those who visit Pune must not miss the Double Anda  Omelette Bun Maska  Cheese (double egg Omelette Bun Butter Cheese) at the Vahuman Cafe.
It is a real treat. This followed by the regular Irani chai will make your day.

Richard Attenborough was here to shoot the movie “Gandhi” A glimpse of one of the rooms at Agha Khan Palace (where Gandhi was in house arrest)  

Some of the articles that he used are on display like the small charka, his wooden sandals, his writing desk.

The room on the left is actually the bath room where you can see a part of the bath tub.

You will get to see an unique school here. Old train bogies converted to classrooms and the method of teaching is quite different from a normal school.

  
If you are here during the Ganapati festival, then this is a sight that you can't miss:

Clicked this at the rear side of Shaniwarwada. Here you can see another trait of Pune, most of the girls cover themselves with a scarf probably to escape the heat and dust.

If you find commuters hanging on the footboard of the bus, then it is the done thing here with no concern for safety.

You will find the new and the old side by side.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon you can hear the shehnai player in you alley, belting out some good tunes for a few rupees

There are some old bungalows (built during the British regime) which are left untouched as they come under the cantonment board. It may look dilapidated but there are people (mostly caretakers) staying in these houses.

Most of the old roads have good shade. Thanks to the tall trees lined on either side.

You will be lucky to spot some sparrows in your backyard as the common sparrow is no more common.

Vendors selling colourful dreams

The war cemetery at Khadki is something one should not miss. (There are graves marked for soldiers from WW-I and WW-II and of different nationality) It is commonly known as the Kirkee War cemetry 

Those who want to read in detail about all the above (and see more  pictures)  click here.