Culture bonding

FROM being a pensioners’ paradise to a melting pot of cultures, the last ten years has seen Pune travelling on the fast track.
There was a time when, Pune’s heartland was in its peths, narrow bylanes which defined the ethos of the land that was ruled by the Peshwas. Lakshmi Road was the average Punekar’s haven for ‘marketing’ while Shaniwarwada stood tall, embodying the essence of the city and upheld its rightful place as the cultural capital of the state.
However, with Pune finding itself in the middle of the IT storm, becomming an educational hub and being counted as one of the most shining examples of ‘India’s emerging economy’, the intrinsic temper of the city has seen some drastic change.Pune is now officially accepted as a cosmopolitan city, The Puneri Punekar is slowly fading out. Immersing himself into the city’s new global mantra, he stands no different from the evolving Puneite. The Puneite of course, has settled in Pune and could easily be a Sindhi, Parsi or Malayali. Living in Rome as the Romans do, the thin line between Maharashtrians and outsiders is slowly blurring.
Even though various communities across the city have their own associations, they clearly believe in assimilating with all.
Like Laxmikant Khabia, who is part of the Marwari Yuva Manch says, “My father always taught us that you belong to the soil that you were born in. Which is why I believe that I am as much a Puneri as any Maharashtrian. The reason why Marwaris are successful in any part of India is because we believe in living like the locals. So whether it’s a Marathi or a Muslim we know how to adapt with them.�
Same is the case with T P Vijayan,who is the president of the Poona Malyali Federation.
He says, “I have lived here for the last 30 years and find that Pune is more welcoming than Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi. There is more religious harmony here. When I came to this city first, it was predominantly dominated by Maharashtrians, but today the scenario has changed.�
The IT wave has also brough in several migrants. Like software professional Sriram Murthi who came from Hyderabad for better career opportunities several years ago. Today Murthi says he can’t think of going back. “Right from day one, I loved Pune. Being from southern India, I had a few problems with my Hindi in the beginning but people around were very understanding. I think I want to settle here forever,� he says.
Seema Punjabi who came here ten years ago adds, “Pune has a lot to offer. Educationally, culturally and even when it comes to the standard of living, it is one of the best cities. The climate here remains its major attraction.�
Usha Karnani who lived in Mumbai for most part of her life, feels that Pune was quite sluggish when she came here eight years back. She elaborates, “So much has changed since then.We are as much a part of the Pune culture as anybody else. We celebrate every other festival with as much gusto as we celebrate Sindhi festivals like our New Year, Cheti Chand and Jhule Lal.�
Hearteningly, there is unity within this diversity. Native of Mizoram Jean Lalrinsangi says, “ There is no animosity as far as outstation people are concerned. It is warm and welcoming.�
As for the average Maharashtrian in the city, no one’s really complaining. sure. “If Pune was restricted to only Puneris, it would lead to a ‘dog in the well’ attitude. At least, this way there is so much to see and learn,� says student Madhura Deshpande.
anuradha.kher@timesgroup.com
A research based on the IndiaCom directory revealed the following
Surname In 2003 In 2004
Kulkarni 7466 7367
Shaikh 6060 6253
Joshi 5858 5828
Jadhav 4293 4368
Jain 2499 2503
Nair 1357 1626
Pillay 294 899
Community count
_ Tamilians 4.5 lakh
_ Gujarati 3 lakh
_ Malayalis 2.7 lakh
_ Marwari 1.7 lakh
_ Sindhis 1.6 lakh
_ Bengalis 1 lakh
_ Goans 1 lakh
_ Parsis 7,500
_ Iranis 4,000
_ Mizos 400
(figures approximate)