One Year in Pune

Yesterday, the 5th of March, marked one year for me in Pune. It felt like a good moment to pause and reflect, as this has been my first year living outside my hometown, Indore, the city where I grew up, graduated, and even started my career remotely during the Covid years.

Pune, Indorified!

Pune was kind, kind from day one. Not even once in those initial days did I feel like I had arrived in a completely new city. The very next day after I landed here, I found myself at a place called Taste of Indore, greeted by something very familiar - Indori poha! It couldn’t have felt more like home, could it? I find myself enjoying it here almost every single day.

The Connect

The first few people I connected with came through references from the city's Jain community WhatsApp groups. It made settling into a new city much easier than I had imagined. Fortunately, the Jain mandir in Viman Nagar was also very close to the office, which meant the daily dev darshan routine continued without interruption.

Fulfilling time at Technogise

The past year at Technogise has truly been remarkable. With a new organization came new ways of working, and along the way I learned some important things - ownership, what it means to actually create an impact, how to operate as a consultant in a flat hierarchy setup, and a bunch of other things. But the main highlight for me were the people. It was a pleasure being around such talented and humble colleagues. The culture is truly deeply grounded, and it genuinely feels like a place that tries to do what is right for its people. The year was also filled with plenty of fun moments, engagement events, Sarva Saptahs, team outings, and of course, a top-class office space that made everyday work enjoyable.

The City's Rhythm

Pune has its own rhythm, a mix of the metro biggies and something like Indore. The pleasant weather most of the year, the vibrant mix of people, numerous lakes and treks (tekdis), and the ever-changing skies all add to the character of the city. Traffic is bearable here, nothing too extreme like Bengaluru.

Fitness

Got into the best shape of my life so far. The gym became a constant anchor, almost like therapy for me. It brought a sense of routine and accomplishment right at the start of the day. Another new thing for me was participating in a marathon. It was a short one, but it left behind some first-timer moments.

Evening Strolls

The beautiful Swami Vivekananda Udhyan in Viman Nagar has been my go-to place to unwind. A few strolls there every now and then cleared my head like nothing else. The park is extremely well maintained, and the plantations around it are simply vibrant.

As I look back on the past year, I feel deeply grateful for the experiences, the people, and the moments that made it such an enriching time. Here's to what's next!