Several weeks ago, some friends and I went on a walking tour of
the oldest parts of Pune. The heritage walk—organized by a newspaper—aimed to
encourage citizens and visitors to take interest in the city's rich history and
culture. Many of us, whose families have lived here for generations, overlook
this venerable side of Pune that lies juxtaposed with its modern glass and
concrete avatar!
Remnants of over sixteen hundred years dot the city that got its
name from the Sanskrit word, punya—which means sacred confluence of
rivers—referring to its location at the confluence of two rivers. Every
building, fort and temple serves as a reminder of the power and glory that the
city basked in. It was from here that a dominion spreading across India was
governed between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries and records indicate
that it was a period of great development. Already conversant with progressive
philosophies, Pune played an important role in the social and religious
reformation of the nineteenth century and in the struggle for independence
against the British. It is therefore not surprising that pioneering work in
women’s education and social upliftment had its roots in this city. Or, that
the first efforts to unite people and build a nationalist spirit through a
religious celebration were initiated here. Placed under house arrest in Pune in
the early 1940s, Gandhi’s call for peaceful resistance against the British
resonated with the people of Pune. They vowed to build a strong and independent
India.
It was our ancestors’ ability to blend rich cultural traditions
with a forward thinking outlook that helped shape Pune’s excellent education
ethos. Emphasis was laid on a well-rounded curriculum that would serve the
people and land well. Even today scores of young people from all over India and
overseas seek admission to the numerous educational institutes and universities
in Pune, justifying its moniker, Oxford of the East. Pune’s erudite workforce
is also the reason many corporations establish a base here. Everything Pune is
today—as an economically successful and culturally vibrant city—is reflective
of the visionary work of its early citizens. They laid the foundation for us to
build on.
As
citizens of a living legacy, we have greater responsibility to uphold and
bequeath this vision to the generations ahead.
