Summary:
- Pune-one of the most livable cities in India
- Why Pune is an educational hub
- Why students are attracted to pune for education
- Lavale – Pune
Pune, a quiet yet active city in Maharashtra is attracting thousands of people every year.
Apart from the comfortable lifestyle the city provides, Pune is also known as the education hub of the east and is attracting students from around the world.
What makes Pune so magnetic that it attracts students from across the globe every year? Before we step in to these reasons, let’s get to know a bit about the city – Pune.
A Bit About Pune
Pune is the seventh most populous city in India. This very fact itself goes to show how popular the city is.
History has shown that a place becomes populous because of the availability of resources in and around the area.
Ancient texts have referred to pune by various names. However, the term Pune and its versions has remained popular throughout.
1. Ease of Living
One of the reasons Pune is an education hub is because of the ease of living in the city.
The Ease of Living Index is a Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, initiative. The Ministry released the report for Ease of Living Index 2020 in March 2021.
According to the report, Pune is ranked the 2nd amongst the most livable cities in India, only next to Bangalore.
The Ease of Living Index is a performance indicator for cities. It provides a complete report of participating cities regarding the quality of life of residents, economic stability and the self sustenance of the city, among other parameters.
2. Favourable Climatic Conditions
One of the reasons Pune attracts students from around the world is the favourable weather conditions throughout the year.
Pune has a high altitude and is situated at 1,837 ft above sea level. The city has a tropical wet and dry climate and though summer days may be hot, the nights are more or less pleasant and cool.
This favourable weather conditions attracts thousands of students who make Pune their home for years to come.
Pune – The Oxford of The East
One of the main attractions for students is the Pune education system. The city is dotted with numerous internationally acclaimed educational institutions.
With 811 colleges, Pune varsity is the second largest in the country only next to Osmania University of Hyderabad.
An interesting fact about Pune education is that one of the earliest girls schools of India was started in Pune in 1848. The school was started by Mahathma Jotirao Phule, a businessman and philanthropist of the time.
He first taught his wife, Savitri Bhai Phule who then went on to become a teacher in the same school.
The Pune University was started in 1949 and was renamed Savithribai Phule University in 2014.
Pune is often referred to as the Oxford of the East due to the presence of eminent and world class professional educational institutions.
Oxford is one of the oldest and still sustaining educational universities in the world.
Located in the United Kingdom, it is considered prestigious and meritorious to be a graduate from Oxford.
Likewise, Pune is considered as the Oxford of the East for similar reasons.
1. Early Indications of Pune Being Regarded as The Oxford of The East
The British rule in India, brought with it the introduction of English education in the country. The initiatives of the then Government of India and the willingness of people of the country saw the introduction of the English education system in the country.
The New English School was started in Pune, as early as 1880. Following this the Deccan Education Society was established in 1884 in the city of Pune.
In 1892 the founders, Vaman Shivram Apte, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Vishnushastri Chiplunkar, Mahadeo Ballal Namjoshi and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar established the famous Fergusson College.
Fergusson College is regarded as one of the most prestigious institutions for degree courses in the country. Apart from degree courses the college offers certificate courses and is a recognised research centre.
Fergusson College has also churned out notable alumni from the college. Some eminent Fergusson College Alumni are
- P. V Narasimha Rao , the 9th Prime Minister of India
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, popularly known as Veer Savarkar, Indian Politician
- Suresh Kalmadi, former member of Indian Parliament for Pune
- Prahlad Kakkar, film maker
- Sonali Kulkarni, Film Actress
- Radhika Apte, film actress
- Pooja Batra, Film actress
- Padmanabhan Balram, Former director of Indian Institute of Science
- Kavitha Kane, author
“Oxford of the East” was first used by Jawarharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.
Today, the city of Pune offers various professional courses like engineering, medical, legal courses among others.
Some of the best engineering colleges in Pune:
- College of engineering Pune
- Dhole Patil College of Engineering
- Progressive Education Society’s Modern COllege of Engineering
- AISSMS College of Engineering
- Sinhgad College of engineering
- Zeal College of engineering and Research
- Bharathi Vidyapeeth College of Engineering
- Vishwakarma Institute of Technology
- Anantrao Pawar College of Engineering and Research
- Marathwada Mitra Mandal College of Engineering
The colleges are all recognised by the All India Council for technical Education, NewDelhi and are affiliated to Savithribai Phule University, Pune.
The colleges offer a wide range of engineering courses with the best possible instruction methodology and infrastructure.
On the same lines, Pune also has top class medical colleges in the city.
Some of the best medical colleges in Pune are:
- Dr D.Y Patil Vidypeeth Medical College
- Armed Forces Medical College
- Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College
- Dr D.Y patil Medical College hospital and research centre
- Maharashtra Institute of Medical and research
The medical colleges in Pune are known for providing the best medical education with excellent practical training provisions.
B Venkatesh Kumar, author of Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan states that more colleges are coming under Pune University jurisdiction because of better governance and quality.
2. Variety of Courses
Pune education is known for offering a wide range of courses apart from some of the best professional courses. Pune educational institutions offer various certificate, diploma and technical training courses.
The City is regarded as the Oxford of the east because of the numerous educational institutes under the 9 well established universities.
Apart from professional courses, Pune also offers diverse undergraduate courses that are not limited to the three main streams of arts, science and commerce.
The Foundation for Liberal and Management Education (FLAME) is an example of an institution offering new and diverse courses to students. Students can choose subjects of their choice.
The Foundation of Liberal and Management Education is the first of its kind in the country offering liberal educational choices to students.
Students can choose literature while studying chemistry and physics. The idea is to attract students to a more lilberal form of education while pursuing their own choices of interest.
3. Presence of Government Backed Institutes
Pune is a home to several institutes which have the backing of the Government of India.
The Film and Television Institute of India, is a Government of India, academic institute, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The college is located in Pune and offers diploma and postgraduate degree courses.
4. National Defence Academy
Situated in Khadakwasla Pune, the National Defence Academy is an iconic military training academy. The academy is affiliated to the Jawarharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and offers courses in BA, BSc courses for army cadets and BTechcourses for navy and airforce cadets.
5. The Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics
Set up by the University Grants Commission of India to promote active teaching, research and development in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
According to author and historian Aroon Tikeker “Pune historically was the seat of power, and its universities had the advantage of great vice chancellors who steered the institution to greater heights. Pune University is more progressive than Mumbai University.”
6. Study in The Midst of Nature
One of the reasons Pune education is popular is because of the grand surroundings of the colleges. Most colleges are aesthetically designed in the midst of nature.
With lush green campuses surrounded by the hilly regions, the colleges provide a conducive atmosphere for learning. The campuses attract several students worldwide.
7. Weekend Getaways
Students are also attracted to the innumerable choices of short trips during the weekends from Pune. These weekend getaway destinations serve as a refreshing break from the hectic academic schedules of students.
Pune offers great locations in and around Pune. Students can pack a bag and head off for an exciting camping and trekking weekend.
Pune is favourably located near popular camping sites like Lonavala. Khandala, Sinhgad among other picturesque locales.
Also, Pune is located only 150 kms from the city that never sleeps, Mumbai. It can be easily reached by road within a span of three hours. Students often visit Mumbai to feel the vibrance of the commercial and film capital of India.
Pune itself has impressive locations to visit. The famous Shaniwarwada Fort and the Aga Khan Palace are some of the famous tourist spots in the city.
Pune also offers a great and relaxing nightlife for students. With restaurants and events taking place all through the week.
8. Versatile Cuisine
One of the major attractions for students from around the country and the world is that Pune offers palettes from around the world.
The diverse food joints cater to the varied taste buds of students. The diverse and multicultural amalgamation of students in Pune can easily find cuisine that satisfies their taste buds.
Pune is also home to traditional preparations like Puran Poli, Thali Peeth and Varan Bhath.
9. Student Diversity
Another reason why Pune is known as the Oxford of the east is the ready acceptance of students from various cultural and religious backgrounds.
Students are widely accepted in the colleges without any discrimination based ony any cultural diveristy.
The peace and harmony that exists on the college campuses and even in the city of Pune make it a safe and secure educational hub for students from around the globe.
This cultural diversity on the campuses has made Pune a popular destination. Students from around the world are assured of their acceptance into the educational system.
According to Planning Commission Member and former Pune UNiversity Vice Chancellor Narendra Jadhav “the growth has come about in the past ten years.
The growth is not by accident, it is balanced. Of all the foreign students travelling to India for education, about 45% come to Pune.”
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10. Safety and Security on And Off Campus
Within the college campuses, Pune provides high safety and security measures. Students feel safe and secure with adequate security systems installed at strategic points on campuses.
Outside of the college campus too, Pune is regarded as a safe city. The crime rate is moderate with a safety index measuring around 58.32.
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11. World Famous Osho Ashram
Students are also attracted to education in Pune because of the world renowned Osho Ashram, a meditation centre located in Pune.
Many students take up short term or long term educational courses in Pune in order to fulfill their desire to master the art of mediation.
The OSHO Ashram has courses for personal growth, daily meditation schedules and courses for total wellbeing. The Ashram attracts thousands of visitors every year.
12. Pune – A Great Launchpad for Soaring Careers
Pune educational institutions provide industry ready graduates every year. The city of Pune is home to many multinational and global companies.
These companies provide direct internships, live programs and experiential learning opportunities to students.
Most colleges in the city have industry tie ups that give an advantage to students graduating from these colleges. Most colleges boast of 100% campus placement opportunities to students. Pune is a great launchpad for students’ careers.
13. Lavale, Pune
The latest addition to Pune Educational Institutions is Lavale. A small mulshi Taluka on the peripherals of the city of Pune. Lavale is soon becoming a Pune educational hub.
A number of well known educational institutions have set up campuses at Lavale. This has directly led to the development of this small village into a bustling campus.
The whole village now resembles a huge college campus, with bustling student activity throughout the day.
The famous Symbiosis International University, Bharathi Vidyapeeth and the newly established Foundation for Liberal and Management Education have sprawling campuses at Lavale.
The colleges have invested crores of rupees to build sprawling campuses at Lavale. The campuses have great infrastructure and facilities and are self-sufficient in every way.
Conclusion
It can be rightly concluded that Pune is indeed the Oxford of the East. With innumerable top quality educational institutions dotting the city.
Some famous and noted personalities who had their early education in Pune are Rajiv Satav (Indian Politician), Eban Hyams (National Basketball League player), Ashish Kulkarni (Singer), NaseerudDin Shah (Actor), Shabana Azmi (Actor) Resul Pookutty (Oscar winning film sound designer) among other noted personalities.
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