WALK TO REMEMBER FOR EX-PATS

Six-year-old Alex perched upon his father Victor’s shoulders and exclaimed, “I see so many people everywhere,” near the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandal. He was a part of the Ganesh walk organized by the Pune Expat Club conducted by Jayesh Paranjape.

The Ganesh Walk began in 2012 for the first time with eight foreigners. “The expats are keen on knowing everything about the city and hence, this tour helps them. I feel that the secular spirit of this festival is showcased through this tour, which begins with the Kasba Ganpati,” Preeti Roongta of the Pune Expat Club. “They experience it firsthand and get to be a part of the festivity,” Preeti added. This year, 48 foreigners, including two children were a part of the Ganesh walk.

Cristin Bleess from the UK has been in India for the past week. It is his first time here. “Being new to Pune, we want to learn about the culture of the city where we will be living for a year and see what the Ganesh Festival is all about. It is a little overwhelming, there are so many people, and pandals are so beautiful and extravagant,” Cristin said.

Shiro Toyama, a Japanese national, is on the tour for the second time. “I was here last year, too, and I walked around alone but this time I am part of a tour and I find the Ganesh Festival is very beautiful. It is nice to see everyone working together,” Shiro said. Viktor Stoyanov from Germany came with all his family
members to be a part of this tour.

“I wanted to understand the Indian traditions better and enjoy the feel of the Ganesh Festival. It is very colorful and crowded as well,” Viktor said.

Tom Keating from Dublin, Ireland, said, “We have been here for eight weeks in Pune, wanting to get a feel of the city sculpture. We are interested in history and the ambiance of the city area is interesting. Even though there were a lot of people. It was a great experience to be part of the crowd and walk along with them.”

Chihiro Kawabuchi, another Japanese national, was here for the first time because of her interest in the Ganesh Festival. Here in Pune since July, she has been interested in culture. I was living in Malaysia before coming here so I know of the culture as there are many Tamilians there, though I don’t understand all of it. Ganesh Festival has impressed me,” said Chihiro. Mike Tso from the UK has been here in Pune for the
past four years traveling and discovering new places. “Being on the tour, it was a great experience, it is special to be here and be part of this festivity,” Mike Tso added.

Federico Maurilio from Italy, is not new to India and has lived in Delhi and Hyderabad. He shifted to Pune just a month ago. “It is my first time in the old city. With an organized tour, it is a good opportunity to move
around as you don’t know where to go otherwise, it is a bit crowded but I like to see the faces of people and the faith they have in Ganesh,” Federico Maurilio added.

Alejandra Cervino from Argentina, said, “I had no idea about the enormity of this festival and it was very beautiful to be a part of this tour, like the center of the city, and loved to walk in this part of the city,” Alejandra said. Mauro Guglielminot is also a professional photographer who enjoyed clicking photographs of the people, Ganesha, and was blown by the sea of faith.