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Pune: Sharad Pawar, Adani meet for two hours, discuss technology

NCP leaders said the meeting had nothing to do with politics and both of them wanted a first-hand experience of the working of the Science and Technology Park

Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani, among others, at the Science and Technology Park in Pune on Friday (Express Photo)

GAUTAM ADANI, the country’s top industrialist and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar met on the premises of Science and Technology Park, an initiative of the Union government, on Friday. Both of them were together for more than two hours. Adani was “mighty impressed” by the activities being undertaken by the Science and Technology Park to improve the lives of people by using technology and showed readiness work together.

NCP leaders said the meeting had nothing to do with politics and both of them wanted a first-hand experience of the working of the Science and Technology Park. When contacted, Baramati MP Supriya Sule confirmed that Pawar and Adani met in Pune on Friday. “I think they met during Gautam Adani’s visit to Science and Technology Park… I have no clue what they discussed,” she said.

Speaking to this newspaper, Rajendra Jagdale, director-general and CEO of Science and Technology Park said, “We had in the past twice invited Gautam Adaniji to visit our Science and Technology Park to have a first-hand experience of what it does. However, he could not make it then. Yesterday, he turned up…We had also invited Pawar saheb. It was a sort of an exploratory visit. Both of them were on our premises for more than two hours.”

As soon as they arrived, both of them were briefed about the working of the Science and Technology Park. “It was a courtesy visit, an exploratory visit. We shared with them the information about our functioning. How we fund the start-ups, how we are ensuring their growth. So far, we have helped set up 1,369 start-ups and provided funding to 260 start-ups. Of the 260 start-ups, we have not written off the investment of even one single start-up,” Dr Jagdale said, adding they have also undertaken activities under CSR.

The technology that Science and Technology Park has developed, said Dr Jagdale, is being used to improve the life of the people. “The technology is being used to uplift the lives of rural folks, the urban poor, the farmers, the physically challenged, the transgenders…it is being used in health and hygiene field too besides in several other areas. We have taken up the mission of giving hi-tech jobs to transgenders,” he said.

Representatives of various start-ups were also present. Dilip Band, president of Science and Technology Park and Prataprao Pawar, vice-president were also present. The Science and Technology Park is located within the campus of Pune university.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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