What do I remember of the Pune that was, some thirty - thirty five years ago? When we used to spend our summer and Diwali vacations at our Aaji's place in Pune? It was of course, time well spent in the company of aunties and uncles and cousins. Family outings and picnics made the days enjoyable and the city was a backdrop to all these happy events.
I definitely remember walking down tree lined Karve Road to the Lakdi Pul over the river. I remember looking down at fish and water snakes swimming in the water below! Yes, our very own Mutha was a river that had water .... and life!
I remember the fountain in front of the University main gate, where we kids would splash around as our parents sat around the edge, enjoying our antics. Where were the cars and the scooters then? How could a spot so beautiful turn into the monstrosity that it is today???
I remember our picnics at the Sambhaji Park. A visit to the aquarium, followed by a good deal of time spent looking at the city model put up right next to it, was such an exciting event for us kids. The Park was a very formally laid out affair, and we had our home made Bhel on the lawns there. The two elephant statues near the steps to the lower level were a challenge and one could consider oneself to be grown up once we could mount the elephants without any help from parents or siblings. The aquarium and the city model are in poor condition today, definitely not worth a visit. And there is a monstrous multilevel car park standing where there used to be a vibrant Bhel - Pani puri place.
Baneshwar was a quiet picnic spot faaaar away from the city and so was Khadakwasla. One had to take a city bus to reach there. Rickshaws were not affordable, and hardly anyone owned cars and scooters back then. But the journey was as enjoyable as the destination. Does that hold true today?
Parvati was a ritual, and the Symbiosis Tekdi overlooking the 'Khind' was exciting as well. One can hardly climb the Symbiosis Tekdi today without first encountering the endless stream of vehicles on the busy wide road that cuts through the hill.
I remember well, the river edge near my Aaji's place. There was water, and greenery .... and place for cattle from the neighbouring dairy to bathe. Do the cows walk down that road any more? They can't! Their pathway is now a narrow concrete lane choc-a-bloc with traffic wanting to reach the road in the river bed.
I seem to have lost all the backdrops of my memories to Time!!!! and Development .... whatever that means!!!!
I definitely remember walking down tree lined Karve Road to the Lakdi Pul over the river. I remember looking down at fish and water snakes swimming in the water below! Yes, our very own Mutha was a river that had water .... and life!
I remember the fountain in front of the University main gate, where we kids would splash around as our parents sat around the edge, enjoying our antics. Where were the cars and the scooters then? How could a spot so beautiful turn into the monstrosity that it is today???
I remember our picnics at the Sambhaji Park. A visit to the aquarium, followed by a good deal of time spent looking at the city model put up right next to it, was such an exciting event for us kids. The Park was a very formally laid out affair, and we had our home made Bhel on the lawns there. The two elephant statues near the steps to the lower level were a challenge and one could consider oneself to be grown up once we could mount the elephants without any help from parents or siblings. The aquarium and the city model are in poor condition today, definitely not worth a visit. And there is a monstrous multilevel car park standing where there used to be a vibrant Bhel - Pani puri place.
Baneshwar was a quiet picnic spot faaaar away from the city and so was Khadakwasla. One had to take a city bus to reach there. Rickshaws were not affordable, and hardly anyone owned cars and scooters back then. But the journey was as enjoyable as the destination. Does that hold true today?
Parvati was a ritual, and the Symbiosis Tekdi overlooking the 'Khind' was exciting as well. One can hardly climb the Symbiosis Tekdi today without first encountering the endless stream of vehicles on the busy wide road that cuts through the hill.
I remember well, the river edge near my Aaji's place. There was water, and greenery .... and place for cattle from the neighbouring dairy to bathe. Do the cows walk down that road any more? They can't! Their pathway is now a narrow concrete lane choc-a-bloc with traffic wanting to reach the road in the river bed.
I seem to have lost all the backdrops of my memories to Time!!!! and Development .... whatever that means!!!!
