Rejoice, Pune has arrived

Finally, at long last, Pune has arrived. It took a little long coming, but better late then never. What kind of cultural capital it would be otherwise and what culture. Every other city had it and Pune had not. Chennai, Delhi, Kolkatta, Mumbai, Banglore and Hyderabad had it, not once, but repeatedly. Even a God forsaken place like Malegaon had it and not Pune. Very unfair.

Now we, the Punekars, can also have our pride of place alongwith cities Global, sharing sisterhood with New York, London, Madrid and Bali. The irony of it is that Pune has a history of nurturing patriots expert in making and throwing Bombs. And yet it took so long.

Even if Raj Thackrey and his wise brother might not certify it, but a little part of me is Punekar. And that part feels elated and overjoyed at distinction of being the resident of a city that has arrived. Of what use is the real estate price escalation, if the City has not arrived.

I wonder if Sakubai will be feeling the same joy and elation. Even though she has arrived from her village and earns 10x of her MG-NREGA wages in her village. She might have 'arrived' in her own little world, being a cynosure of her village folks. The village folks might be dreading the arrival of a different sort. The arrival due to arrival of modern day Robin hoods. But the arrival of cattle can hardly be called arrival for it is transient. The cattles have to leave next morning.

But as per city dwellers' 'standards' she has not arrived, not yet. She and her little kids still carry water from far away pipe, keeping alive ancient village tradition. The kids still go to Municipal 'School' and there is not even a remote possibility that she might have hared of International School even if they happen to be named after 'mass' leaders like Sharad Pawar. Even though she owns Color TV with Tata Sky and a Fridge, its unlikely she know heads or tails of what is EMI. Forget EMI, she does not even have medical insurance having spent 10% of her monthly income for 1 Day hospitalisation of her daughter.I wonder what the Bomb blast means to her and her drunkard husband.

Meanwhile, things have already started getting normal. Pune will enjoy the welcome attention for some more days till the time some other city 'arrives' and steals the thunder from it.