Go on an OG Puneri trail with your foreign friends

Time of India

3 days ago

A group of foreign students enjoying a sip of coffee and chatting with their Indian friends at the MIT-WPU campus in the city
On Sunday, youngsters in the city will share stories with childhood friends or catch up with their college mates over some food and coffee. But if you are tired of this Friendship Day routine and want to do something hatke, this weekend might be a good time to introduce your classmates from other countries to the history and culture of Pune. We bring you some ideas for a day-long city trail packed with history, food, nature and art.
Walk through history
Visit iconic sites steeped in history for a glimpse into architecture, history and stories of valour.
Shaniwarwada, for its historical significance
Vishrambaug Wada, for its architecture
Aga Khan Palace, for a blend of Indo-Saracenic architectural style and stories of India's freedom struggle
Pataleshwar Caves, for a journey back in time
Foodie's delight
Spice things up in the middle of your trail with classic
monsoon
preparations or some dishes that the city is famous for.
Vadapav and cutting chai, the OG monsoon favourite
Misal pav, with just the right amount of spice
Bakarwadi, because when in Pune...
Basundi and kulfi, to round up your food trail on a sweet note
Mawa cake and Shrewsbury biscuits, as delicious souvenirs
Sunset at the tekdi
Pune's hills and lakes are experiences in themselves. Take your friends for a serene escape in the evening and enjoy breezy weather with a bird's eye view of the city.
ARAI tekdi and Pashan lake, serene hills and a beautiful lake
Taljai tekdi, if you fancy a nice run with your buddies
Parvati tekdi, a beautiful view from the temple on top
The must-visit markets
If a shopping spree is what you want to engage in, look no further than the city's iconic local markets and street shops. Your 'foreign
che mitra'
will get a taste of the city's shopping scene here.
Tulshibaug, for finding them a perfect jewellery item (or literally anything under the sun)
FC Road, for some flamboyant clothes at cheap prices
Juna Bazaar, if vintage and rare items is what they're looking for
MG Road, for the true street shopping experience
Overseas students share their love for the city
It's a give and take of culture and traditions: Serena Vianello (Mauritius)
Serena Vianello, a clinical psychology student from Mauritius, recalls feeling nervous when she reached India. But she was pleasantly surprised by the warmth of her peers. 'I realised kindness and openness go beyond language, and that really helped me settle in,' she asserts. One of her fondest memories is attending a cat's birthday party where she met people who are now among her closest friends. 'My Indian friends have shared their culture and traditions with me, and I love sharing parts of my culture with them too, whether it's through food or anything else,' she adds.
Faith and food bind me to Pune: Benjamin Tumwesigye (Uganda)
Benjamin Tumwesigye, a student of political science from Uganda, fondly remembers an instance from the Ganeshotsav organised at his college,
MIT-WPU
, during which he and fellow students toured historical places, danced together, and embraced the traditions. 'I was even dressed in a turban at one of the places,' he shared happily. A touching highlight for Benjamin has been a homestay at one of his friend's houses. 'It just made me feel close to home,' shares the youngster whose favourite dishes are pani puri, dahi puri and chhole bhature.
Spontaneous chats have led to lasting friendships: Trish Chipo Mabika (Zimbabwe)
A turning point for Trish Chipo Mabika, an engineering student from Zimbabwe, came during her college medical checkup when a classmate struck up a conversation while standing in the queue. 'Next thing you know, we're talking non-stop and are still friends,' she recals. Such spontaneous chats have led to lasting friendships, and Trish says that she shares her culture through music. 'In return, I was introduced to Indian music and dance. As for my time in Pune, I feel beyond blessed to be here,' she adds.
Felt a sense of warmth and kindness in the city: Farnaz Tabrizi (Iran)
For Farnaz Tabrizi, an Iranian student studying psychology, it wasn't a specific moment that made her feel welcome in the city. 'I felt a sense of warmth and kindness from the moment I arrived here,' she says, adding, 'Simple acts of help from people made me feel supported. The most common phrase I heard from my fellow students was – Don't worry.' Farnaz believes the cultural similarities between India and Iran helped her connect easily with her peers.
Photos: Jignesh Mistry