Mall walking

“No matter what your need is,Pune malls offer a variety of solutions,” says Prashant Jain,ILS student,adding,“It’s not just about shopping at such destinations but much more. It’s all about being at a safe place where the ambience is perfect with music and food carts along with bright lights that liven up the mood as compared to drab gardens or pavements outside.”

Little wonder then that groups of youngsters hanging out,couples giggling at one corner and families spending time in and around the mall makes a common sight.

“Malls give us the privilege to be around friends at minimal cost. In fact it’s the best place to celebrate your birthday too. While I can celebrate my birthday and trest my frinds at the food court,my friends can buy gifts for me ,” smiles Arjun Uppal,student of a reputed college in Pune. “It’s a good place to kill time when one is bored. You get to see families coming for a quick bite and window shopping,all of which makes you feel good as outs station students and makes your feel less homesick,” says Shridha Malhotra.

Eating at the food court is a viable option for most away from home. It’s affordable and one can choose from a variety of options. “The well chosen music that takes care of the latest hits is an experience in itself,” says Varun Garg,management professional.

Pune has over 15 malls to choose from. And it’s a misconception that students are the only regular customers. In fact,professionals,families and even retired people come there to take a break from their mundane routine. Cottoning onto their popularity and keen to retain it,malls also organise a variety of activities ranging from lucky draws to applying mehendi on occasions,to encourage more footfalls.

From haunted houses to gaming parlours and from a quiet walk in the evening to special celebration of festivals,these shopping arcades have quite over stepped their briefs to become a place that has something for everyone. As one Puneites puts it- “It’s even a place you can go to when you want to be alone. It may sound odd given the crowds and noise,but malls tend to offer you an anonymity and space precisely because of their large crowds and noise. You can just be with yourself and yet be with the world.”