An intern’s guide to Pune: what to avoid and what not to miss

Pune happens to be the second largest metropolis in Maharashtra, and as such is quite an underrated city. It is also the cultural capital of Maharashtra; and sometimes it takes this title too seriously. But there is something to be said about the spirit of partying: for it thrives here, uptight dissenters notwithstanding. While the city isn’t a breeze, it is also quite interesting. These are some things you might find useful to know before you shift:

Where to stay:– Finding a place to stay isn’t too much of a problem in Pune. There are several PG accommodations in all parts of the city, especially near Viman Nagar and FC Road. Another popular option is to find a friend and rent a flat. One bedroom flats range from Rs. 8,000 to 12,000, depending on where you stay. Koregaon Park is very expensive whereas Pune University is comparatively cheaper.

The people:— It is a running joke in the rest of Maharashtra about Pune locals being snooty and sarcastic. While that is not true for all of them, it is a good idea to learn a little Marathi to get around this; the people aren’t particularly helpful otherwise. Puneri patya or signboards are famous.

Weather:– March to July is hot although evenings are pleasant all through the year. July to August is the monsoon period, and forgetting to carry an umbrella will be trouble. Winters are fairly cold with temperatures dipping to single digits at night.

Travel:–

1. Autorickshaws are abundant and fares are charged by meters, but you could get cheated if you’re not careful. If in doubt, ask for the rate card. Rickshaws also get expensive after 8 pm.
2. PMC buses are usually not on time, and manners aren’t universal. Always, at any cost, keep change handy. Interns verify that courtesy is almost illegal in buses.

What to eat:–

1. Bun maska, cheese toast and cheese omelette at Café Vohuman.
2. Sandwiches and chaat at Vaishali.
3. Shrewsbury biscuits at Kayani Bakery.
4. Sizzlers at Yana—Neha, who works at Emerson, recommends these.
5. Home-made food is easily available at reasonable prices (but a little research is required). Sonal, who studies at Symbiosis International University, says that there are several outlets along most roads that house educational institutions and companies, which call for interns every now and then; for example, Hinjewadi.

What to do:–

1. Go trekking and explore the Sahyadri hills.
2. Experience the party culture. Go to Stone Water Grill and High Spirits.
3. Drive to Mulshi dam at midnight.
4. Explore the city for nearby art museums.
5. Make lots of friends. There is a refreshing blend of cultures by students in various colleges like Symbiosis, Ferguson, Pune University, Wadia College, etc.
6. Ask locals about how the city is rumoured to be the second most haunted city in the world.
7. Go on a road trip to Mumbai on a weekend.

Be prepared:–

1. To see girls with scarves covering their heads, everywhere. No, the city isn’t quite that conservative: it’s a defence against the pollution.
2. To meet lots of insolent shopkeepers. Keep your cool.
3. For the traffic and clogged roads.

Explore the city:– If monuments interest you, do not miss:

1. The Aga Khan Palace
2. Shaniwar Wada
3. Lal Mahal
4. The Osho International Commune
5. The Shivneri fort.

Weekend getaways:— Tons of options here, but here are the best:

1. Hill stations: Lonavala, Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and Matheran. Also go to Lavasa, India’s first hill city.
2. Beaches: Goa, Diveagar, Shrivardhan and Harihareshwar.
3. Trekking: Bhandardhara lake, Malshej ghat, Rajmachi and Sajjangadh.

Shopping:–

1. FC Road and JM Road (it stands for Jungli Maharaj Road, one of the many funny names of localities in this city) for street shopping.
2. Inorbit, Phoenix and Pune Central are the best malls.

Pune is a city of dichotomies: there is the student and IT population, which is cosmopolitan; and there are most of the locals, who try their best to not turn Pune into another Mumbai. Learn to focus on the positives, try to understand why retaining culture might be so important to people, and you’ll have a great time here. If you are interning/have interned in Pune, do tell us what it was like. If you will be shifting to Pune this summer for an internship, ask us any questions you might have–and we hope you have a great internship!

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