Pune
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Pune, previously called
Poona, is Maharashtra State's second largest city (after
Bombay. According to the
2001 census provisional results, it had - according to official statistics - a population of 3.755 million in 2001. This figure includes the people residing in the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad which has historically been considered as a part of Pune. The real population of the combined metropolitan area should be between 4.5 to 5 million in
2004.
Marathi is the language of the majority of the people residing here and they call themselves 'Punekar'. 'kar' is a marathi language suffix used to denote a person of a village or a city. This being a metropolitan city with many
English literate people, 'Puneites' is also a term commonly used to describe the people of this city, particularly in English dailies.
Geography
\nThe city developed on the confluence of rivers Mula and Mutha. They are the tributaries of the river Bhima which flows east rising from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
History
\nThis is a historically important city. The Maratha empire was headquartered here, and the district has several hill forts along with many ancient temples. It grew in importance under the British when it housed a major cantonment town. Poona is the current Southern Headquarters of the Indian Army. The Cantonment area is still a major fixture and adds to Poona's cosmopolitan flavour.
Economy
\nPoona is a major industrial centre, particularly for automobile manufacturing. It is home to one of the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturers - Bajaj Auto. Tata_Motors has its plant here, in a small corner of its large property. DaimlerChrysler also has an assembly line for its Mercedes_Benz brand. Pune also has a burgeoning software industry. Many of India's major software players such as TCS Infosys and Wipro have a major presence in Pune. With the construction of the six lane Bombay-Poona Expressway, this city is now less than a three hour drive from Bombay.
Education
\nIt has many institutions of higher education, including the University of Pune, several colleges of engineering, IUCAA (Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics), TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research), NCL (National Chemical Laboratory) and the Armed Forces Medical College. The National Defense Academy, which trains officers of India's armed forces is located at Khadakvasla, on the outskirts of Poona. \nStudents from all over India come to Pune for higher education, particularly engineering and management. Poona is rapidly becoming a major centre of Information Technology in India. With numerous engineering and management institutes it was once called the "Oxford of the East" by Jawaharlal Nehru. India's first and longest serving Prime Ministers.
Culture
\nDuring the months of August or September each year, the city celebrates the festival of Ganesha. The festival culminates in a carnival like procession along the busy throughfares of the city. The city also has a active theater community. Pune is also the home of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his Osho Ashram which brings a very international flair to the city. It is also the birth place of Meher Baba.
Recreation
\nPoona_Club\nPubs\n 10 Downing Street\n Cactus
Places of Interest
\nParvati Temple\nShaniwar Wada\nAga-Khan palace\nOsho Rajneesh Ashram\nSinhagad Fort\nLonavala-Khandala hillstation\nPanshet Dam
Famous Personalities
\n*Shivaji Maharaj\n*Bajirao Peshwa\n*Madhavrao Peshwa\n*Nana Phadnavis\n*Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak\n*Gopal Krishna Gokhale\n*Mahatma Phule\n*B.K.S. Iyengar\n*P.L. Deshpande\nExternal links
\nOfficial Websites\n*Pune Municipal Corporation
Education\n*University of Pune\n*Symbiosis Institute of Business Management \n*Vishwakarma Institute of Technology\n*Fergusson College
Research\n*IUCAA\n*TIFR\n*NCL
News\n*Sakal Papers Ltd.
Other Institutes\n*Canada India Institute-Industry Linkage Project
Other Information\n*Fast-Facts\n*Biodiversity Documentation Project by RANWA \n
