Pune (Poona), otherwise known as Punya Nagari (‘city of virtuous deeds’), is located in the Maharashtra state of west central India. A romantic and charming little Indian city with a history dating back some 600 years, it was first inhabited by artists and musicians; under British rule it was an important military centre, but is mostly known for being an automobile manufacturing base..

This ‘Oxford of India’ is home to many colleges dating back from the 1800s, including Deccan College, College of Engineering and the Ferguson College. The Department of Meteorology was moved from Simla to Pune in 1857. This hub of knowledge was described by Mahatma Gandhi as “a beehive of dedicated workers for a noble cause”.