Pune Unltd. - 8 by Pune Unltd.

UNLTD. PEOPLE | FOOD | EVENTS | NIGHTLIFE | FASHION

July 16, 2014

SPECIAL FOCUS

Pump it up, Pune! What’s Pune listening to?

BAZAARS

Raviwar Peth

Where shopping happens in bulk

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EDITOR’S NOTE

In the bazaars…

“From the more known food and vegetable markets to the lesser known ‘Chor Bazaar’ (although every city probably has its own version of this one!), there’s everything you would find in Pune. And then some more!” @adityakuber

hello@puneunltd.com Editors

Aditya Kuber Veethi Telang Apeksha Bhagchandani

Contributors

here are various aspects that make up a city. The people, the places, the culture, the food… the marketplaces… of these, what a traveler most remembers is where they bought or saw something. Over time, this becomes as much the identity of a place as its food and other non-physical attributes. Pune is no different. There are a host of marketplaces or bazaars that offer a mind-boggling array of goods. From the more known food and vegetable markets to the lesser known ‘Chor Bazaar’ (although every city probably has its own version of this one!), there’s everything you would find in Pune. And then some more! Being the chroniclers of the city, we decided to explore these places and boy, did we come up with some gems! Our intrepid writers dived headlong into the task (also because they love shopping) and we now proudly present to you the results of a lot of effort.

I sincerely hope you like this effort and as always, we’re open to talking about anything we may have missed out on. Without giving more away or taking up more of your time, I present to you the Bazaars of Pune. Have a blast!

Vedvrat Shikarpur Sneha Johari Sharan Garcha

Design

Prasanta Kundu Maddy Kulkarni Sanjali Manekar

Aditya Kuber

Marketing Anish Sohoni Rekha Achtani

Publisher

Media Sphere Communications Pvt. Ltd. www.mediasphere.co.in Cover Photo: Apeksha Bhagchandani

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IN THIS ISSUE Live

COVER STORY

In the Bazaars of Pune

Each of Pune’s oldest bazaars has its very own, incomparable charm. Even if they sell similar items. Each one of them have a history, their own people and a soul that makes them what they are today.

Live

06 08

PUNE EXPRESS

My Precious!

#ACTPUNE

The Key to Women Empowerment

A city-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Development Support Team, has been working towards empowering women in slums of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad through the Self Help Groups-Federation model.

NIGHTLIFE

Pump it up, Pune!

So many genres, so much music, so little time! But, we’re Punekars and know how to make the most of the few hours we can sneak from our busy schedules. Thanks to the countless pubs, lounges and bars in the city, Puneri DJs are slowly and gradually becoming a force to reckon with. One such Disc Jockey is Yashodhan Rege (DJ Regge), resident DJ at 1000 Oaks.

FASHION

A stroll down FC road

Countless food joints, educational institutes, book houses, temples. But, the amount of fashion there is on Fergusson College Road is what really lights up the street. If you’re a fashion lover, wouldn’t you agree?

See

07 30

InstaPune

Capturing the soul of Pune on Instagram

Photo Feature

Showcasing awesome work of Puneri shutterbugs

PUNE UNLTD.

IN THIS ISSUE Live

Ravivar Peth: Where shopping happens in bulk

For others, Raviwar Peth is just another area in the old city, where one can easily get lost. For Punekars, however, Raviwar Peth means shopping in huge quantities and that can amount for anything; food items, groceries, home products, clothes, stationary and a lot more.

Eat

Meet

Bake baby, Bake!

A bustling crowd of 45-50 enthusiastic Punekars had recently gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott Pune City Centre to attend a Bread Baking Masterclass with Chef de Partie Gerwin D’souza. He simplified the process so one can bake these four exotic breads at home! Here goes.

‘Auto’-matic Innovation and Drive!

With a population of almost 8.3 million people (2014), Pune is always on the lookout for sustainable modes of transport. The neighbourhood auto rickshaw driver might refuse to ply where you want to go but, drivers from Autowale will take you through the city at RTA approved fares.

Play

Scor’d

Events

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Reviewing all you can watch, read and eat in Pune

These are set to rock Pune for the next 2 weeks

PUNE EXPRESS

My Precious!

Neha Revankar Sales and marketing consultant My Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer bike is my most prized possession. I’ve dreamt of owning a bike since I was eight years old and my dream finally came true at 26. I bought the bike from Brahma Motors (Shivajinagar) without any financial help from my parents, overcoming all sorts of odds. It gives me peace every time I ride it! I named her Bijlee!

There are just three words to get us all excited – “Let’s go shopping!” Whether they’re from a street shop, a local store or a fancy mall, we all own a few items we totally loved purchasing and just can’t get enough of. While you recall yours, we asked a few Punekars about their most prized possessions and here’s what they had to say.

Sindoora Iyer Social Media Executive and Writer My most prized possession has to be my engagement ring from Tribhuvan Das Zaveri, Bund Garden. I love it because it sure gives me a boost of confidence when I’m feeling low. After all, diamonds are forever, aren’t they?

Riddhi Jain Digital Marketing and Public Relations Manager My most prized possession is my drum kit that I bought from Furtados. It has been my best friend and my muse through all kinds of ups and downs and I love it to bits!

Siddhant Nigam Tattoo studio owner I love my PC that I bought from Tandem CT in Wanowrie the most! I’ve always dreamt of having one and I was finally able to afford to build one according to the specifications I wanted.

Protima Tiwary Social Media Manager Lifestyle Blogger

Apurva Bothe and

My Tissot watch from Just In Time (Aundh) is my most prized possession. I bought it with my own savings (which totally gives me a high). It’s something that I would pass on to my kids and so, it’s extremely special to me. I love the coral blue dial on it. It’s over a year old but I still guard it like crazy.

Human Resource Executive While watching Ram-Leela, one of the heavy earrings and necklace by Deepika really caught my fancy. They jewellery has an intricate design and a vintage look. I tried various places but it was too expensive everywhere. In Saraf Katta, Raviwar Peth, however, I found the same necklace and earrings at half the price of the ones in malls! I bought the set without a second thought and I get compliments each time I wear it. I love them so much, I wore them for my sister’s wedding and are my favouritet!

We would love to know your views on the topic.

Write to us at hello@puneunltd.com

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INSTAPUNE

@thepunekar We love everything about Pune and scout for Instagram images that showcase its spirit. If you have an interesting image of the city, tag @thepunekar on Instagram and it could get featured here!

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Photo: Michael Korcuska Used under Creative Commons License

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COVER STORY

PUMP it up, PUNE! Apeksha Bhagchandani

So many genres, so much music, so little time! But, we’re Punekars and know how to make the most of the few hours we can sneak from our busy schedules. Whether it’s dining out, clubbing or a private party at a friend’s farm house, we know how to dance the night away and do it right! Thanks to the countless pubs, lounges and bars in the city, Puneri DJs are slowly and gradually becoming a force to reckon with. They perfectly set the mood for the evening with their sky-high BPMs and spell-binding tunes. One such Disc Jockey is Yashodhan Rege (DJ Regge), resident DJ at 1000 Oaks. I caught up with him for a quick chat and discovered a whole new aspect of the Puneri scene. Here are the excerpts

When and where did you learn DJing?

I learnt it from Abhishek Mantri in 2005. The course lasted about 3 months. Initially I’d assisted other DJs to gain experience. Gradually, I started performing in private parties and that’s how word started spreading.

In terms of music, how has Pune changed in the past 7-8 years? It’s amazing how, all of a sudden, Punekars have diverted towards ‘concert culture’. There was a time when people here only listened to the likes of Pitbull and David Guetta. Pop music was pretty much the only genre around. Music concerts and festivals have become a fad today. The west is gradually flowing towards us. Today, people here know of genres like Big Room and

Psy Trance, which wouldn’t have been the case even 2-3 years ago. That said, even DJs of this city have started to experiment. It’s amazing how much talent there is in the city. I know performers who play Techno and refuse to play anything else even if offered money. I know a lot of DJs who’re good friends and keep telling me about their experiences. Today’s DJs do not compromise with the quality of music, no matter how much they’re paid. Isn’t it awesome?

What can Pune do to have more festivals in the city? First off, get rid of deadlines! Secondly, the kind of issues we have in the city, like what happened at Penthouse and Maya, sponsors are skep-

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NIGHTLIFE I recently launched a Facebook page called ‘The Pune Scene’. It’s only meant to promote local, upcoming talent in the city. All a DJ/Artist has to do is register and we’ll promote their events and music via SoundCloud and other such platforms.

How do you scout for new music?

tical about bringing artists to the city. But I think we’ll get there. The city is on the right track. Another drawback about the city is that Punekars are not as ‘musically educated’ as people in Bangalore are. We know when Guetta and Above & Beyond come play in the city but, what about artists like Aly & Fila, Paul Van Dyk and the likes? They’re amazing artists too and play music that’s pure. It will all start taking shape once we know how to promote local talent. They are skilled professionals who have a bank of music that’s totally unexplored by music lovers in Pune.

What do you do to promote local talent?

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Well, it’s important for us DJs to stalk major international artists! Also, there are websites like Mixcloud, SoundCloud and Beatport that provide track lists of major gigs. We follow international concerts, podcasts and radio channels. In the end, it all depends upon how passionate you are towards digging. The world is full of great music waiting to be explored. You just have to make the effort.

According to you, which genre is Pune currently following? Like I mentioned earlier, Pune was once an out-and-out Pop music city. But today, people have become more and more aware of various genres. EDM, Rock and even Jazz are prominent music genres today. Wait for the next few years, you’ll be amazed at the number of genres that’d crop up and make a place in the hearts of Punekars.

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Lastly, give me the names of the top-10 songs from your current playlist. Well, it’s truly a mix-up of genres. But, here you go:

1. Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay 2. Happy (Would You?) - Pharrell Vs. Touch And Go 3. Ain’t No Stairway High Enough - Gramatik Mashup 4. Everybody Wants to Rule the World - Tears for Fears (Just A Gent remix) 5. Syn Cole - Miami 82 (Kygo Remix) 6. Mr. Probs - Waves (Robin Schulz remix) 7. London Grammar - Hey Now (Bolt Bootleg) 8. Talk Dirty to WHO – (Delicious Fatigue edit) 9. Martin Garrix - Animals (Phat Kidz Twerk Edit) 10. Black or White - Michael Jackson

FASHION

A STROLL DOWN FC ROAD Countless food joints, educational institutes, book houses, temples. But, the amount of fashion there is on Fergusson College Road is what really lights up the street. If you’re a fashion lover, wouldn’t you agree?

Veethi Telang & Apeksha Bhagchandani

“

Get a dress or two for me too when you go to Colaba for shopping”, said an excited Apeksha to me. It was only two days ago that I went to Mumbai, to satiate my hunger for some new clothes and accessories on a budget. I was thrilled to the core for I knew I’d be able to lay hands on some exceptionally cheap items that I couldn’t find in Pune. And, I did. But, on my way back, I couldn’t help but reminisce about our very own FC Road and the umpteen small shops that embellish the busy street. Perhaps, I was missing it too much for it feels more like home than any other street shopping destination. It’s in my city. It has my people. And, no one can take that away. Call it emotion, call it pride. But, the fact that one single street contains the entirety of global fashion trends in

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it is enough to get Puneri fashionistas rolling. FC Road has something for everyone on a budget. Whether it is clothes, accessories, food, drinks, utilities, banks, book stores and even temples! For me, the only two reasons to visit the busy street are fashion and food. For I don’t know how many times have I walked through the road while covering my eyes just to avoid giving in to the temptation. After all, what damage could one more dress do? For people like us whose idea of winding up after work is window shopping and gorging on street food, FC road is one hell of a destination to spend hours looking at the range of necklaces, dresses, shoes and bags. And, when we’re done, there’s always Vaishali or Wadeshwar to bring the perfect evening to an end. Apeksha and I are fashion bloggers and so, part of our job is to stay updated on the latest trends and drifts. And, FC Road, which was once just another shopping destination for people to find inexpensive junk, is today loaded with everything au courant – at astoundingly cheap prices! I’m in love with their accessories; their owl eye-shaped stud earrings, neon hairbands and ties, nail paints in thousands of shades, satchel bags, clutches and belts are so chic! Do check out their newspaper print shoulder purses – they’re a big hit! As for footwear, you name it and they have it. Apeksha and I were doting over the range of monsoon-friendly footwear when we came across Birkenstock-like sandals! Can you believe it? The footwear that has been doing rounds on international runways was on display in a range of colours and styles. I. Was. Sold. As for clothes, the variety of maxi dresses, playsuits, tops, leggings and PJs will make you go bonkers! In this gloomy weather, the many colours and styles make your day like nothing else. Fashion on FC Road is in full bloom during evenings, when some vendors by the street open up their cartons of striking clothes and are soon mobbed by fashion-savvies from all over the city. It’s as much fun to watch as it is to buy!

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#ACTPUNE

The Key to Women

Empowerment A city-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Development Support Team, has been working towards empowering women in slums of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad through the Self Help Groups-Federation model. Sharan Garcha

Development Support Team (DST) was established in 1985 by Mrs. Harvinder Bedi as a support service agency. DST works primarily in areas of gender, microfinance and women in development, rural development and natural resource management through community participation, documentation and social research. DST’s operational area is spread over both urban and rural areas across Maharashtra.

non-funding support are needed. The Indian development scenario in the early eighties had two stakeholders in this process – Government and Non-Government. In the non-government segment, the further break-up was NGO implementing development projects funded both by the Government and Non-Government sources. The ‘consultant’ culture had not made its appearance on the scene.” says Mrs. Bedi.

“DST’s origin was based on the assumption that to achieve people-based development, both funding and

“Development dialogues across the country identified the need of support structures which could meet the

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gap and work in areas of capacity building on the programme segment and institutional issues. It was with this background that DST was conceived as a ‘support initiative’ by a group of likeminded development workers. It was meant to bring value addition both to the funding partners and implementing NGOs. Over two decades, DST has developed a broader understanding of the developmental sector. Since its inception, DST has provided support to several organisations in the country.

After the successful implementation of the SHGs, DST promoted apex bodies called the Financial Federation to provide larger-sized loans mainly for income generation activities, house repair and education to its members. DST’s current focus is on providing training inputs on Financial Literacy and Livelihoods and workshops on increasing awareness on Social Issues - Diminishing Sex Ratio, Gender Disparities, Domestic Violence and Women’s Health.

In the first decade, DST focused on development support, documentation of development initiatives, networking and learning from exposure and best practices. By the early 90s, DST felt the need to have small operational initiatives from which learnings could be derived and shared across sectors. DST started as a support service organisation in a small way and accepted a variety of challenges in the path of its growth and journey. It responded to the needs and demands of the changing situation and has grown into a multifaceted organisation. Through the Urban Microfinance Programme, DST has promoted about 600 SHGs with a membership of more than 12,000 women in the urban slums of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The Self Help Group model was able to provide a ‘safe savings’ option to its members and meet their small consumption and production credit needs.

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IN THE

BAZAARS

OF PUNE

“It’s going to take some work”, she said. “Of course it will”, he said.

“It’s going to be fun”, she said. “Let’s do it!!” he exclaimed. These are snippets of sentences from the Pune Unltd. Team as, after much contemplation, we shortlisted this piece for the Cover Story. Each of us, being true Punekars, LOVE shopping. Be that in massive malls or on the bustling streets of the city. We were excited! Each of Pune’s oldest bazaars has its very own, incomparable charm. Even if they sell similar items. Each one of them have a history, their own people and a soul that makes them what they are today. The Team went out and about and tried to capture those souls with their lenses. Here’s the outcome; Pune’s oldest bazaars in pictures and a handful of words.

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COVER STORY JUNA BAZAAR | kasba peth Apeksha Bhagchandani & Veethi Telang “Hold onto my phone while I click images”, I said to Veethi as we entered the hullabaloo of people and salable items that’s Juna Bazaar. I was expecting an important call and didn’t want her to dump the phone in her sling bag. “Dude! This is Juna Bazaar! I can’t hold a phone in my hand and walk around. What if someone grabs it and runs?!” The next one hour presented many pleasant surprises. As its name suggests, the Bazaar is known for selling second hand goods, both commercial and domestic. The place is a treasure trove, especially for antique collectors. You’ll spy ageold gramophones, coins, magnifying glasses, spectacles and vinyl records even. Stalls of clothes, footwear and household utensils are common sightings. Other than that, the list of items you’ll find here can be loooooong. We’ve picked a few interesting ones and dumped them in the ‘Awesome Finds’ box for you. Go nuts! I asked the first store owner we came across whether I could click a picture of the variety of bags he was selling. He beamed with joy and behaved as though we were the Queens of England. It was heartwarming. I clicked him too and we moved on. We then stopped at a little trunk converted into a table that displayed

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colourful beaded necklaces and malas. The pretty, coy lady selling them was hesitant to allow me to take her snap but she gave in within seconds. I realised how I was unknowingly clicking people more than the items they were selling. Their excitement at being photographed by us was touching. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I decided to make this part of the story a mix of the Bazaarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people and their mer-

chandise. The only drawback about this place is its location. It is situated on one half of the Vir Santaji Ghorpade Path near Maldhakka Chowk. The hawkers create a temporary lane with jugadu structures made of bamboo poles and some metal/plastic roofs. Although the Bazaar runs only on Wednesdays and Mondays, the traffic jam it generates can be quite bothersome. Moreover, vehicle parking is also a nuisance.

Awesome Finds Phones

Phone batteries

Machine tools

car horns

Vehicle tools Headphones 16

Car batteries

USBs

Gym equipment PUNE UNLTD.

COVER STORY MANDAI | shukrawar peth Sneha Johari Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been going to the Mahatma Phule Mandai for years now; just not in the recent years. So I decided to take a walk throughout the grand vegetable market and document all that I came across! At the entrance of Mandai is a series of shops dedicated to all pooja-related items: incense sticks, turmeric powder, ornaments for idols, camphor, anti-voodoo dolls, miscellaneous prayer items, rangoli etc. Flanked on either side with large parking spaces, the Mandai itself has 8 entrance and exit points. Currently under renovation, the Mandai has slanting roofs built out of clay shingles (kaula) and has many open spaces for great cross-air ventilation.

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For all the Punekars who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, this Mandai is Puneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest vegetable market! The Mandai has two distinct structures: an old Mandai and a new Mandai. Both house more than hundreds (if not more!) of fresh vegetable and fruit vendors cobbling about their stalls. Even before you actually enter the structures under which the vendors sit, outside, you will encounter sellers of all kitchen and household materials (at wholesale costs!) as well as fruit and vegetable vendors. Inside the old Mandai are onion and potato vendors followed by chilly, garlic, coriander and ginger sellers. Right next to it is a stream of vegetable vendors sitting under a host of colourful dec-

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COVER STORY

orative lanterns selling all sorts of veggies! Leafy greens, seasonal veggies, roots, fruits, bulbs, condiments, you name it and Mandai has it! This part of the Mandai is bustling with activity, especially on weekends. The other side of Mandai, or the new Mandai, has a more open structure where all veggie vendors sit along with a few fruit vendors. Here, new age entrepreneurs (or should I say local entrepreneurs) sit with continental herbs and veggies like colourful bell peppers, broccoli, parsley, baby corn among others! If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to make exotic dishes with fresh ingredients, you ought to head to the new Mandai very soon! Punekars looking to stock up for the week can be seen across both Mandais carrying tote bags spilling with colour: a weekly produce of fresh veggies will cost you under 500 bucks!

Did you know? Built between 1882 and 1886, the Mandai was inaugurated by Lord Reay, the then Governor of Bombay, on 5 October 1886. Located in Shukrawar Peth, Mandaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s structures are carved of wood and stone in solid British architecture. Mandai was constructed by Vasudeo Kanitkar and Naraso Ramchandra Godbole. The cost of building the Mandai was approximately Rs. 2.3 Lacs

COVER STORY KHADKI BAZAAR | khadki Apeksha Bhagchandani & Veethi Telang

“This time you click!”, I said to Veethi. She gladly accepted. Veethi is always in form when she’s equipped with a camera. I wanted to Instagram the life out of this place. And so we set about clicking pictures. Oh the colours! As you enter, the stores and stalls mostly house clothes, jewellery, footwear and bags. I was juggling two phones, a heavy wallet and my car keys. I headed to a stall selling bags, picked a canvas one and inquired as to how much it cost. Rs. 120. Did you get that? Rs. 120!! Paid. Grabbed. Dumped my stuff. Continued with Instagram. As you walk deeper into the Bazaar, you’ll spot bed sheets (sold at the price of kerchiefs), rubber pipes, tiny food joints (hunt and try a few of them and you’ll find local chicken curry and Biryani that’s to die for) and tons

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COVER STORY of hina. A store named China Bazaar housed a gazillion cups, saucers, plates etc., with a gazillion designs and colours to choose from. You can pick up cartons of pieces and your pocket won’t feel a pinch. Whenever you decide to visit this place, make sure you taste a glass of this watermelon-milk concoction that’s sold right next to the Dargah in the vicinity. During the summer, the stall is surrounded by a minimum of 30-40 people at a given time. Parking is not a problem around the Bazaar. A couple of grazing cows seemed to take care of our car while we were away. You make have to go back and forth on the main road a couple of times, but you’ll get lucky nonetheless.

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COVER STORY

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SHIVAJI MARKET | camp Apeksha Bhagchandani “Ye magajin kya hota hai?”, inquired a lady carrying fake flowers when I asked whether I could click her. “I won’t give you a wide smile. I don’t like my teeth”, she said. She was so excited and yet so shy. She was the first person I met as I entered the approximately-128-years-old Shivaji Market. I’ve been hearing for years that the Market is to get a makeover. And, a much-needed one at that. The crumbling walls, broken pathways and the stench of animals, dead and alive don’t make for easy shopping. Nonetheless, the gothic structure never fails to fascinate me. “This market is my life. It’s fed my family for generations. It hurts to see it collapsing like this” said Sayyed, a pineapple/falooda vendor. Due to Ramzan, there was a feel of festivities in the air. Stalls are decorated with balloons, glittering Christmas balls and colourful paper lanterns. Other than the usual goods, people were also selling cooked Ramzan food like meats, potatoes, snacks like Kebabs, Samosas as well as Falooda and Vermicelli (Sewaiyan). Most Punekars know what Shivaji Market houses. For those who don’t (for shame!), here’s a list of the top 10 items you’ll easily find in there:

Fruits Vegetables Raw Meats Seafood Masalas Academic Books Footwear Jewellery Crockery Plastic Household Goods

DANGE CHOWK | pimpri - chinchwad Veethi Telang IT professional: Bhaiya, second-hand fridge milega? Mujhe yahan settle nahi hona, isliye zyada mehenga samaan nahi chahiye.

shopping destination of college goers and employees who want to set up their flats, PGs or hostels at a minimal

Shopkeeper: Dange Chowk hai, bhaiya! Aap budget bolo, poora flat set up kara dunga! Don’t know about you, but for me and many others employed at one of those corporate companies in Hinjewadi, Dange Chowk is no less than a blessing. If you’ve recently relocated to Pune and reside in areas like Pimple Saudagar or Wakad, go nowhere else, for shopping at Dange Chowk will help you set your teeny-tiny flat in this city. Bustling with people day in and day out, Dange Chowk is the go-to place for shopping of household items, furniture, utilities, electronics, clothing and groceries. One of the most striking features of this market is the abundance of shops dealing in second-hand furniture and electronics. This makes Dange Chowk the favourite

budget. From second-hand refrigerators, televisions, microwaves, cupboards, mattresses to even table fans, coolers and speakers – oh, there’s nothing you wouldn’t find for yourself in this busy market. For those who wish

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COVER STORY

to buy new items, Dange Chowk doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t disappoint them either. Go, see for yourself and be amazed at how cheap the furniture is! Wooden cupboards, shoe cabinets, bathroom fittings, electronics and kitchenware are a steal when compared to other markets! Sundays, however, elevate the entire scene of the already teeming Dange Chowk market. Amidst the hustle-bustle is set up a huge grocery bazaar that almost creates a mayhem in the area. So, the next time you wish to buy groceries in bulk, you know when and where to be!

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TULSI BAUG | laxmi road Sneha Johari With the Mahatma Phule Mandai market on one side, flanked by Vishrambaug Wada on another, Tulsi Baug needs no introduction whatsoever to Punekars. Every Puneri living soul, any soul who has lived in Pune even for a short while has heard of it, if not visited Tulsi Baug once in their lifetime. Such is the reputation of one of Pune’s epic bazaars! I was on a mission to investigate if there’s something that you don’t get here. The short story of that investigative report is: there’s nothing that you don’t get here! The long story, on the other hand, goes like this: clothes, curtains, women’s and men’s accessories, imitation jewelry, shoes, clothes, more clothes, make-up, wigs, home decor, crockery, household items, cookware, copper and brass utensils, pooja-related items… dirt cheap! No wonder then that there is no such time that Tulsi Baug is not crowded. If the list gave you an instant desire to get up and go on a shopping spree, don’t forget to drink sugarcane juice from the nearby friendly juice shop after you’re done with shopping. Your blood glucose levels will have

dropped and you will feel much lighter (thanks to all the money gone from your pocket!). I could not resist buying a few mugs while roaming around myself. One of the lanes also lead you to flower vendors where you can buy garlands and gajras along with other blooms.

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COVER STORY

Packed into tiny lanes bursting with street vendors and shops, there’s hardly an all-inclusive bazaar comparative to the grand Tulsi Baug.

Did you know?

The site of Tulsi Baug once had a garden of tulsi plants on it.

The Tulsi Baug temple was ordered to be built by the third Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. The temple was completed by 1761. Tulsi Baugs Ganpati is fourth in terms of the Ganapati hierarchy in Pune. Tulsi Baug’s Ram temple’s top or shikhar is 140 feet tall. facebook.com/Puneunltd

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COVER STORY MARKET YARD | gultekdi Vedvrat Shikarpur Compared to other markets in the city, Market Yard is relatively new. Established in the 1970s, the market is controlled by Agriculture Produce Market Committee Pune and is a go-to place for shopping fruits, vegetables and even flowers! Most of the vegetables and fruits that we see being sold all over the city are sourced from Market Yard.

an unusual thing in Market Yard). And so, they get to sell the items at increased prices. Thankfully, the prices are still cheaper than what your local grocery vendor charges.

Although I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember visiting Market Yard as a child, my recent visit made me realise why it is the preferred destination to buy vegetables and fruits. Given the price difference of approximately Rs. 20-30 per kg when compared to other markets, wholesale buyers can save A LOT here. One thing worth noticing on your visit to Market Yard is that there are a few sellers alongside the godowns who sell well-sorted veggies (which is

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COVER STORY

A major section of the area is used to store goods which are to be shipped or sold. While some sellers focus only on the shipping, some sellers deal with bulk sales right there. For instance, if you want to buy kanda (onions), most sellers wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sell a quantity less than five kilos. This is because they sell their products at a very reasonable rate and only trade in bulk, they need to keep in mind their profit margin. Another reason to make a long trip to Market Yard is to buy seasonal fruits at the best price and quality. For example, the market houses some of the rarest of fruits and veggies that hardly make it to other markets in the city. Market Yard houses almost all vegetables and fruits that are grown in the country.

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Did you know? Most of the goods sold in Mandai

and other local grocery shops in your area are sourced from Market Yard.

In the vicinity of Market Yard is the colourful Hanuman temple. The God of Strengthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blessings are definitely required after you are both physically and mentally exhausted from the loud bargains.

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PHOTO FEATURE

Sheer brilliance always stands out. Photographer: Sanchit Joshi

Suspense in the frame. Photographer: Sanket Garade

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PHOTO FEATURE

Man performing on a street at Dange Chowk. Photographer: Veethi Telang

An old man selling flowers at a rundown shop in Raviwar Peth. Photographer: Vedvrat Shikarpur

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‘Auto’-matic

Innovation and Drive! Sneha Johari

WHO AND WHEN? IIT Kanpur alumni Mukesh Jha and Janardan Prasad moved to Pune in 2003 and instantly fell in love with the city. Working with different companies in different cities but based out of Pune, Mukesh and Janardan made several Skype calls and mauled a hoard of excel spreadsheets across time zones to come up with ideas to start a new venture. They had 3 ground rules: it should be tech-enabled, should have a mass impact and be India-based. Having experienced the difficulty of finding an auto rickshaw that would go to a particular place without overcharging, Janardan and Mukesh decided to venture into “Dial-a-Rickshaw” in 2010. It met their conditions and, thus began the Autowale journey. “We chose Pune because it has the highest density of auto rickshaws in the country. Pune also has a huge IT crowd which translates into early adopters. We loved the

startup-friendly environment,” says Mukesh Jha, co-founder and CEO.

WHAT? Starting Autowale was not an easy task. The co-founders had to meet with RTOs, traffic commissioners, auto rickshaw unions and auto rickshaw drivers to understand the regulatory aspect. This was followed by cold calling and face-to-face meetings. Upon asking if they had any trouble from auto unions, Mukesh said, “No, since we’re not displacing anyone, there’s been no trouble from unions. This is, in fact, working well for the drivers, the customers as well as the government.”

WHERE? In order to figure out the areas where Autowale could not provide auto service, they went to the RTO.

It was important that they understood the corporation city limits and its borders. Barring a few areas, Autowale autos can be seen throughout the city. Ask Mukesh what response they’ve received from their employed autowalas and he says, “The drivers are extremely happy! Auto drivers prefer working with us any day as opposed to driving solo. Drivers who quit came back to us in a week. In reality, the drivers have become entrepreneurs. They realise the value of customer service, time is money and, the respect that they get.” Autowale also saw the way in which the auto drivers’ mentality changed. They had less idle time, planned trips and were earning a steady income. All this came at a cost. Autowale worked hard to weed out drivers who did not fit their set of requirements. Having worked with over

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PUNE INC. 1000+ auto drivers, Autowale currently has 300+ steady drivers who do umpteen trips generated from 1000+ calls every day. Other than this, the service had to be affordable for people.

HOW? The auto driver assigned to a person after they call is worked out based on algorithms Jha and Prasad designed. It takes into account the traffic, the proximity of the driver to the customer and the availability of the driver. All this is satisfied with the help of low-cost technology in order to make the business as well as the service affordable. “65% of our customers in Pune are females. They feel safe using our service because the autos are coming from a known source. From our side, we procure the address proof, ID proof

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and check references of every driver we hire,” quips Mukesh. The drivers themselves undergo trainings which are aimed at getting them oriented into customer service, interactive voice response, getting leads and basic etiquette.

WHAT NEXT? Autowale plans to focus on Pune and make the service sustainable for its drivers as well as customers. “Ultimately, we would like to build Autowale to a self-sustainable scale. Currently, we’re exploring ideas such as “heritage on wheels” which will expose Pune’s janta to its surrounding culture on 3 wheels. We’re also stressing on a pooling service to reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” Mukesh concludes.

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How to Dial-an-Autowala 24*7 To get an auto at any time in Pune and PCMC Phone: Dial 020-6611-1111 Web: Log on to http://autowale.in/ and book your trip online App: Install the Autowale Android app onto your phone and book your trip.

Bake baby, Bake!

FOCACCIA Ingredients (Serves one) ÎÎ 1 kg Refined Flour

A bustling crowd of 45-50 enthusiastic Punekars had

ÎÎ 20 gm Salt

recently gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott Pune City

ÎÎ 100 gm Sugar

Centre to attend a Bread Baking Masterclass with Chef de

ÎÎ 30 gm Yeast

Partie Gerwin D’souza. He simplified the process so one can

ÎÎ 100 gm Butter

bake these four exotic breads at home! Here goes.

ÎÎ 50 ml Olive Oil

Sneha Johari

ÎÎ 600 ml (approx.) Water ÎÎ 20 gm Gluten ÎÎ 20 gm Bread Improver Method Preheat the oven to 250 C. • Mix all the ingredients together to form smooth soft dough. • With oiled hands, roll small portions of dough and place on a greased baking tray. • Make dimples in the dough and put toppings and finish with grated cheese. • Prove focaccias for approximately one hour and then bake at 250 C for 8-10 minutes or till you get a nice golden brown color. • Brush with olive oil as soon as the focaccias are out of the oven.

FRENCH BAGUETTE Ingredients (Serves one) ÎÎ 1 kg Refined Flour ÎÎ 20 gm Salt ÎÎ 30 gm Yeast ÎÎ 600 ml (approx.) Water ÎÎ 20 gm Gluten ÎÎ 30 gm Bread Improver Method • Preheat the oven to 230 C. • Mix all the ingredients together to form medium soft dough. • Place the dough on a greased counter and cover with a damp cloth and rest for 15-20 minutes. • Cut and scale dough into approx. 300 gm pieces and keep aside covered with a damp cloth for another rest period of 15-20 minutes. • Finally knock back the individual pieces of dough and roll into long loaves and place on a flour dusted baguette tray or baking tray. • Prove for 30 minutes. Now just before baking, spray the baguettes with water, sieve the flour and cut slits with a blade or serrated knife.

• Bake in the oven at 230 C for 15 minutes at first, then reduce temperature to 200 C and continue baking for another 15 minutes.

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MULTIGRAIN BREAD Ingredients (Serves one)

FOOD

ÎÎ 1 kg Refined Flour ÎÎ 20 gm Salt ÎÎ 25 gm Sugar ÎÎ 25 gm Yeast ÎÎ 750 ml (approx.) Water ÎÎ 40 gm Gluten ÎÎ 10 gm Bread Improver Method • Preheat oven to 230 C. • Mix all ingredients together to form loose dough. • Place the dough in a greased rectangle container and press down till completely flat. • Let it prove till it doubles in volume for about an hour and then fold from all sides and press down again. Repeat this folding again after an hour of resting. • Now dust some flour on your work table and invert the ciabatta container to drop the dough into the table. Dust the top of the dough with flour as well. • Now with a chopper of big knife cut the dough into suitable pieces. Carefully pick up the cut loaves and place onto a flour dusted baking tray and immediately bake in the oven at 230 C for 15 minutes at first, then reduce temperature to 200 C and continue baking for another 15 minutes.

MULTIGRAIN BREAD Ingredients (Serves one) ÎÎ 800 gm Refined Flour ÎÎ 200 gm Multigrain Flour ÎÎ 20 gm Salt ÎÎ 20 gm Sugar ÎÎ 30 gm Yeast ÎÎ 600 ml (approx.) Water ÎÎ 20 gm Gluten ÎÎ 30 gm Bread Improver Method • Preheat the oven to 230 C. • Mix all the ingredients together to form medium soft dough. • Cut and scale dough into approx. 350 gm pieces and keep aside covered with a damp cloth for a rest period of 15-20 minutes. • Knock back the individual pieces of dough and moulds into desired shape. Spray with water and garnish with multigrain seeds. • Place loaf on flour dusted tray and prove for 30 minutes. Now just before baking, spray the loaves with water, sieve flour and cut slits with a blade or serrated knife. • Bake in the oven at 230 C for 15 minutes at first, then reduce temperature to 200 C and continue baking for another 15 minutes.

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PETHS

RAVIWAR PETH Where shopping happens in bulk

Before it came to be known as Raviwar Peth, the ancient name of the area was Malkapur. It was renamed in the era of Peshwa Balaji Bajirao, also known as Nanasaheb Peshwa. Mahajan, Vyavhare and Joshi retitled this place to Raviwar Peth, derived from ‘Raviwar’ which means Sunday in Marathi and Hindi. This was mainly because shops and businesses in the area would be closed in the area on Sunday. Talk about irony! The area flourished under Balaji Bajirao’s rule, along with other peths that were developed during this era. Although Malkapur dates back to the 16th Century, it was in 1740-41 when Raviwar Peth was re-established and developed into the area we know today. It is bordered by Budhwar Peth, Shukrawar Peth, Rasta Peth and Kasba Peth. The peth has been changing ever since it was established, however, it still retains its old charm. The Someshwar Temple, Ram Mandir, Laxminarayan Temple, Vitthal Temple and Jumma Masjid are located in this area. The Bhohri Jammat Khana is another famous place in the area. The Someshwar Temple and Jumma Masjid are a must-visit and it’s surprising to see how peaceful they are even though they are located in one of the busiest

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COVER STORY areas in the city. What’s more, ever since its inception, the area has specialised in dealing in Gold and Silver jewellery. It is, therefore, renowned as the ‘Saraf Katta’, where traditional, vintage ornaments are traded in abundance. There is no way to tell where you are in a peth. Even though Punekars are notorious when it comes to giving directions, when in the peth, there is no way out! The best way to confirm where you are is by reading the signs of various shops which normally mention which peth you are in. If travelling by car, the closest spot to park is the “Pay and Park” area near Mahatma Phule

Mandai. From there, once you start heading towards Raviwar Peth, you will enter Bohri Ali. This lane is famous for having innumerable shops that trade in household fittings and hardware. If you’re good at bargaining and have a decent idea of what you want to buy, you will definitely come back satisfied. However, I found various other items being sold here as well. For

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COVER STORY

example, there was a small shop with phetas on display and, the shopkeeper happily guided us to the godown located slightly off Bohri Ali, near Juni Bhaji Ali. On the first floor, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find Salimbhai Phetewalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop selling amazing phetas. The one we were most interested in, however, was the Puneri Pagadi, which is a steal at Rs. 500! Close by is Manish Market, a place famous for merchandising wholesale items. Utensils, groceries, food items, clothes, soaps, shampoos etc. can be purchased in bulk (most come in packs and seldom sold separately). For ladies, Manish Creations in Manish Market, is a famous shop for dress materials and textiles. Ramsukh market in Raviwar Peth is another marketplace where similar items can be shopped. This one is the best place to buy stationary items, toys and decoration items for birthday or anniversary functions. There are shops that sell fancy pencils, sharpeners, erasers, balloons, colouring books etc. which can be bought in bulk. No wonder my eyes would light up each time my mom came back from Raviwar Peth! Also in the heart of Raviwar Peth, is Kasat Sarees which is a famous store among Puneri women for lagnachya sadya (sarees that are worn on weddings, haldi kunku, etc). The saree store is known for its excellent quality and decent pricing. To complement the rich, intricately designed sarees, you can head to Saraf Katta for beautiful jewellery.

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COVER STORY

Saraf Katta literally means ‘a place for jewellers’. Most of the shops present here have been making and dealing in various jewellery styles for more than two decades, some even being managed by 3rd or 4th generations of the family. Although rates of gold and silver will fluctuate according to market prices, this place is excellent to buy traditional jewellery. Peths in Pune are full of khanavals that serve traditional Puneri food. Raviwar Peth, however, doesn’t have many options in this sphere in comparison to the others. But, that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy good food in this area! Bikaner and Purohit Sweets located in Raviwar Peth are known for their amazing sweets and can give the Chitales and Kaka Halwai’s tough competition in the mithai department. Purohit, located opposite Ramsukh Market, serves tantalising moong dal ka halwa, farsaan, matar pattice, kachoris and dhoklas. Their ladoo and dry fruit sweets have the perfect mix of tup (ghee) and sugar. Jalebis are available, but only on Sunday mornings. Bikaner is known for its dry fruit mithais and amazing shev, which is the best combination for snacks with drinks. Don’t you agree?

vast variety the place has to offer. Also try the groundnut chikki at Khadake and Company, located near Govind Halwai Chowk on the border of Raviwar Peth and Ganesh Peth. The chikki is quite different from those at Lonavala, and tastes close to the rasgira wadis that are available at every grocery shop. It is sweet but healthy and oh so tasty. Do try!.

You want buy pin to vimaan, go shop Ravivar Peth. But not go on Sunday haa, it shut. Hyaav Sabudana Wada in Sunday peth also, it is osum.

Shahji’s Paratha is a wonderful place to enjoy thalis. Their parathas are to die for, the reason being the

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SCOR’D

Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania Film

Stone Water Grill, Koregaon Park Restaurant

A true tribute to our favourite DDLJ

Welcome back, we missed you!

Café Film

Bobby Jasoos

Fat Cat’s Café, Wanowrie

Lip-smacking food and ever-smiling staff

A waste of time and money

Restaurant

Casero, DP Road

Mediterranean delight with a relaxing ambiance

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Aly & Fila @ Miami, JW Marriott on 12.07.14 Event

A bedazzling celebration of Miami’s 3rd Anniversary

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EVENTS Kalakari Art Genres An Exhibition of exclusive collection in varied art mediums by Pune artists

Beat the Fest BEAT- the FEST 2014 is featuring the very best of Battle of Bands, Dance face-offs and War of DJs showcasing the best talent in Pune! When: July 18, Friday Where: Seasons Mall, Magarpatta City, PuneTime: 8 pm onwards Time 3:30 pm

When: 17th July, Thursday, Where: Darpan Art Gallery, Near Patrakar Nagar, PuneTime: 8:30 pm Time 11 am

Abhinaya - Indian Classical Dance Workshop

The Story tellers Come, listen to a group of storytellers who have been telling stories in different parts of Pune. Their repertoire includes mythology, traditional folktales, ancient & modern fables, tales with a twist, dragons & goblins, witches & wizards, fools & jesters, stories in sign language, stories from India and around the world, in English & Hindi. When: July 20 , Saturday Where: Pagdandi -Book Chai Café, Shop no 6, Regent Plaza Mall, Baner Pashan Link Road, Baner, Pune

This workshop will give an introduction to the classical dances of India and, also help one to understand dance as a language. You will also get the opportunity of appreciating and attempting some of the aspects of dance - natanabhinaya (expressing through the eyes) and hastabhinaya (expressing through the hands) When: July 26 – July 27 Where: Plot No. 20, Survey no 90/2/B and 90/3/B, Behind Bharat Gas, Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa, Pune Time: 5 pm Contact: tcc@prelocate.com or Call: 9764441478

Time: 4:30 pm Contact: 9922075513

Sizzler Festival at 11 East Street 11 countries | 11 sizzlers. 11 East Street organizes a sizzler fest for food lovers across Pune for a whole month! Come and relish lip-smacking delicacies from 11 countries brought to you under one roof. When: July 11 – August 11 Where: 11 East Street Café, East Street, Camp

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