Latest news with #AntaraKulkarni
Indian Express
15 hours ago
- Business
- Indian Express
QS World University Rankings 2026: SPPU is Maharashtra's top-ranked university, secures 566th rank globally
Written by Antara Kulkarni The Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has secured the 566th position in the recently released Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2026. QS evaluated over 8,500 universities globally, and its rankings encompass more than 1,500 universities. A total of 54 Indian universities found a spot in the rankings. SPPU is the top-ranked university in Maharashtra, and notched up the second position among public state universities in India. QS rankings involve the evaluation of universities based on five parameters with different weightage: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability. For the 2026 rankings, International Student Diversity has also been introduced as an unweighted indicator. SPPU has received a high score in the 'Research and Discovery' parameter due to a higher ranking in 'Citations per Faculty', which has shown a 124-point increase when compared to the previous year, despite a reduction in the number of faculty this year. The university has a high 'Global Engagement' score due to a higher ranking in 'International Research Network', and a high 'Learning Experience' score due to its performance in the 'Faculty Student Ratio' segment. The 'Employment Outcomes' score has also shown a 130-point increase over the 2025 rankings. Calculations based on these parameters have given the university a score of 29.3 out of 100. 'Moving forward, we remain firmly committed to further enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and global engagement in alignment with the transformative vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020… We are confident that once all the 111 sanctioned teaching positions are filled, Savitribai Phule Pune University will advance to a global rank within 500,' said Dr Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, SPPU. 'The university has achieved an overall world ranking of 566, a significant improvement from its previous band of 631–640,' said Professor Parag Kalkar, SPPU, Pro Vice-Chancellor. (Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Hidden Stories: how Pune's ‘nullah garden' was transformed into the tranquil oasis Osho Teerth Park
Written by Antara Kulkarni Amid the lush greenery of Koregaon Park, there once was a 12-acre expanse of garbage dumps and eroded land through which a nullah, an open sewer, flowed. Today, the space is one of the few tranquil corners in the city where one can enjoy greenery, birdsong, and find a spot to rest ones' jangled nerves. How the 'nullah garden' transformed into the Osho Teerth Park holds crucial lessons when it comes to reviving other eyesores across the city. The nullah, a central feature of the park, passed through several village-like settlements and collected dirt, refuse and pollutants along the way. The land was heavily overgrazed and constantly trampled by livestock, the soil was eroded and the bedrock exposed. The putrid smell of the sewer drew clouds of mosquitoes. 'The Shunya Foundation, part of the Osho International Foundation, decided to transform the area. There was resistance from some villagers and, for three years, the Foundation worked on convincing them. The restoration project began in May 1990 with an investment of around Rs 50 lakh and was completed by September 1991 under Swami Nihar, an Australian agriculturist and landscaper,' says Ma Amrit Sadhana, who is part of the management team of the Osho Meditation Resort. She adds that Osho, the spiritual head of the resort, held great respect for nature. The foundation aimed to 'reverse the degradation of nature in a model project which will help re-establish a balance between a clean, healthy environment and the needs of a modern city,' says a report by the Osho Spiritual Health Organisation. The restoration process The project was undertaken in three main phases. First, livestock was removed from the land to prevent damage by grazing. The water was also cleaned through the construction of sewerage and drainage lines, retaining walls and four large ponds that run in a series. The ponds were cleaned and Gambusia fish, that eat mosquitoes, were released into it. 'This alleviated the mosquito problem,' says Sadhana. In the second phase, an irrigation grid was created to improve the fertility of soil. Pathways – on which a thousand people walk every weekday now – were created and dotted with bridges. A plant nursery was also added. The unbridled energy and freedom of thought that Osho preached did not find favour among many local residents. So, when the park was complete, the surrounding community was invited to enjoy it. 'This ensured that fears surrounding the park's impact on local communities were abated by the foundation's commitment to answering questions regarding drainage, cleanliness, maintenance and other factors,' says Sadhana. Among Pune's chief spots Averaging 2,500 visitors on weekends now, the Osho Teerth Park quickly became one of Pune's key spots, whether for a morning stroll or an evening picnic. The park takes on a meditative approach by uniting nature and human life. Among the overhead trees and shrubs, polished marble slabs provide corners for meditation. Statues of Buddha in various meditative positions, and a statue of the Osho himself can be found at certain locations in the park. The thick vegetative cover is varied: Strolling through the park, one can be in a blooming patch of yellow flowers, or beside a cascading waterfall. One can walk on numerous bridges and climb up a cool bedrock, or wade through ankle-deep water. Entry is free, although the park operates at specific timings in the mornings and evenings. Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express.
Indian Express
08-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Tree ambulance launched by Pune Municipal Corporation
By Antara Kulkarni The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) launched the city's first tree ambulance on World Environment Day on June 5. The initiative aims to protect, conserve, and restore the trees of the city. The service was inaugurated by president of NGO AngholichiGoli (Bath Pill) Madhav Patil, alongside PMC Commissioner Naval Kishor Ram, Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B.P., and PMC Garden Department Head Ashok Ghorpade. Patil said, 'It will work to heal the trees… it's all about giving respect to trees. This movement is necessary to introduce a balance between tree cutting and tree preservation,' says Patil. After launching a 'Nail-Free Tree' initiative, the NGO claims to have removed more than 1 lakh nails from trees. The Tree Ambulance is equipped to protect the trees from the issue of nails. Patil encouraged Ghorpade to partner up with various NGOs in different parts of Pune that operate the Tree Ambulance. Each NGO in their area in Pune is assigned a separate day of the week where they can use the Tree Ambulance to clean and preserve the trees in that area, so that the vehicle can be utilised in the most effective way possible. The tree ambulance is now located at Jangali Maharaj Road, and has contact numbers displayed so that concerned citizens can inform its operators about where its services may be utilised best. (Antara Kulkarni is an intern with The Indian Express)
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Not for public transport- Part 1: As rain lashes Pune, auto and cab fares bleed citizens dry
By Kavyaa Masurkar & Antara Kulkarni Since the start of the monsoon, commuters in Pune have been grappling with the dual challenge of uncooperative auto rickshaw drivers and soaring fares on app-based platforms. With many drivers either refusing to ply or demanding extra charge and cab aggregators quoting fares significantly higher than meter rates, passengers are left unsure of what a fair fare is and how much they need to pay.. 'It took almost an hour just to book an auto from Pimpri Chinchwad to Lohegaon. When I finally succeeded, the app showed Rs 715 for the ride,' said Trisha Dasgupta, a PR professional. She added, 'It's worrying how expensive and difficult travel has become in Pune. If we have to spend so much and wait so long, how will middle-class people manage? Either we need a personal vehicle or end up spending excessively on rickshaws and cabs.' Sai Bhandarkar, a second-year student at BJ Medical College, shared similar concerns. 'Cab and auto rates vary a lot, especially during the rainy season,' she said. 'Most of the time, we're expected to tip the driver up to 30% of the displayed fare just to get a confirmed ride. Also, if you check the same route more than three times on the app, the price shoots up by around 15%.' Surge pricing has only added to the chaos. With traffic delays, waterlogged roads, and increased demand during peak hours, commuters say that ride-hailing platforms are capitalising on the inconvenience. 'Especially when there's traffic and when many people are looking to book a ride, tend to increase their prices. It shouldn't be happening,' said Dhirendra Kulkarni, a presales professional. Meghna Menon, owner of Zenscrawl, a garment store in Koregaon Park, echoed similar feelings. 'Surge pricing for both autos and cabs has become a regular problem,' she said. 'With the metro network still incomplete, people like me don't have many options. The confusion between meter fares and app pricing only makes things worse. Commuting in Pune has become exhausting, and we're often left at the mercy of apps and drivers who take advantage of the situation.' A media professional talked about how an Uber driver duped her by asking for extra fare for putting on the AC in her cab. 'He said the ruling had just come the evening earlier and showed an old video to convince me. As there were so many new regulations coming up with aggregator vehicles. I believed him and paid an extra Rs 100, only to realise later that I had been duped. Despite raising a complaint, there was no follow-up or refund of the amount. This is what these services have come to.' At present, Uber autorickshaws in Pune ply by meter leaving many passengers already complaining about the higher-than-usual Bhowmick, a sales professional, said that if autos are plying by meters, the concept of surge pricing should not apply in Pune. 'The concept of surge pricing was meant to compensate for the demand – but that should have been there to compensate for the discounted first prices. So why should they be around now,' he said. Traveling in Pune during monsoon has always troublesome but with autorickshaws and cabs hiking their fares, it has become costlier too.
