Vox Britannica!

PUNE, June 19: Everything about him is propah British. The deep voice, the heavy accent, the wry sense of humour and, of course, the typical...

PUNE, June 19: Everything about him is propah British. The deep voice, the heavy accent, the wry sense of humour and, of course, the typical British name 8211; John Holt. Peering at you with his light grey eyes, that crinkle at the slightest pretext of a smile, the tall blond reveals that he is more of a permanent visitor to Pune than a permanent resident. 8220;But considering that I come to the place at least thrice a year, I guess I do know as much about the place as the foreigner next door.8221;

Having first stepped foot on Puneri soil three years ago, when his sister-in-law passed away, Holt decided to rent a flat in Kalyaninagar, as he knew that he and his wife would henceforth be regular visitors to Pune to meet his mother-in-law, who lives here alone.

And though he insists he has not gone around town much, Holt has visited a couple of Maharashtrian and Kokani restaurants in town, having developed a liking for Indian food. 8220;The best thing about Pune is its pleasant climate. It is also a good centre for travelling to other parts of the country8221; says the Briton.

And what does he dislike about the city. 8220;Ah,8221; he throws his hands up and rolls his eyeballs. 8220;It8217;s so difficult to get things done around here. Like getting a gas connection. I was told there is a special scheme for foreigners for getting a connection, so I went all the way to the head office, where I was informed that the scheme did exist, but had been suspended till September! I have discovered that the easiest way to get anything official done here is to go about it the unofficial way!8221;

Holt is also not exactly charmed by the town8217;s penchant for afternoon siestas. 8220;You have had it if you can8217;t do your work before one o8217;clock. It is a sleepy little town,8221; says the man who is used to London8217;s bustling shopping arcades, where he owns a retail shop. 8220;Also, the traffic seems to work on the principal of anything goes8217;. But at least it8217;s slow, which makes it easier to be tackled.8221; Little wonder then that though John wishes he could spend more time here, he would much rather keep his base in organised ol8217; London. Wise decision, huh?

Sunanda Mehta

Sunanda Mehta is the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Pune. She is a distinguished journalist, columnist, and author with over three decades of experience in the media industry. Educational background: A merit-lister in her 12 th in CBSE (5th rank in Humanities) Sunanda stood first in History in the Board for which she was awarded the Dr Tarachand Gold Medal. She is a triple-graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (History Honours) from Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, Bachelor of Education, Delhi University (on scholarship) and Bachelor of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune. Professional Background Role: As Resident Editor, she oversees the Pune edition of The Indian Express, managing local news coverage, investigative features, and editorial direction for the city. Author: She is an accomplished author, known for her biographies. Her notable books include: The Extraordinary Life and Death of Sunanda Pushkar published by Pan Macmillan (2019). The book was long-listed for the Atta Galatta award for nonfiction and Auther award for best debut author. Majestic Musings - Translation of poems from 100 year old Badshaian from Punjabi to English (2023) Behind the Big Screen- the untold stories of child actors published by Bloomsbury India (2024) Focus Areas: While Sunanda has reported on various subjects from civic to political to investigative and crime, her forte remains long-form human-interest stories, heritage and gender issues. Core Column: "Against All Odds" Sunanda curates and writes a signature series titled "Against All Odds," which profiles individuals who have overcome significant personal, medical, or professional challenges. Recent notable articles (2025) The Story of Dr. Harinder Dhaliwal (July 2025): A Pune AFMC topper who became a neurologist in Canada despite becoming paraplegic. Jayoo Patwardhan’s Cancer Journey (Jan 2025): How the National Film Award-winning designer defeated cancer. Partha Iyengar’s Emergency mid-air (Aug 2025): The story of how Gartner’s India head survived a massive heart attack during a long-haul flight. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage continues to explore deep personal narratives and Pune’s socio-environmental landscape: 1. Personal Narratives & Closure "'I grieved for him 10 years after his murder, found closure to unsolved case'" (Dec 14, 2025): A poignant feature on Vineet Alurkar, son of the late Pune music legend Suresh Alurkar, and how digitizing his father’s collection helped him heal. "A 40-day journey home: how Christopher Benninger's partner gave him the gift of memories" (Nov 23, 2025): A moving tribute to the late acclaimed architect Christopher Benninger and his final trip to the US. "'After 38 years I finally met my biological mother'" (Sept 28, 2025): Chronicling the journey of an adopted daughter from Zurich searching for her roots in Pune. 2. Civic & Heritage "'Vetal Tekdi belongs to common citizens'" (Oct 20, 2025): An interview with environmental activist Dr. Sushma Date on the community-led protection of Pune’s vital green lungs. "'Military village' Apshinge recalls living through war days" (Aug 12, 2025): A report from a village in Maharashtra where nearly every household has a member in the armed forces, focusing on their legacy and current anxieties. 3. High-Profile Commentary & Investigations "Malegaon blast acquittals: 'I was expecting this verdict'" (July 31, 2025): An interview with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian following the controversial acquittals. "Grounded, license cancelled... she decided to soar higher" (March 30, 2025): The story of Dr. Harpreet A De Singh, Air India’s first woman pilot from 1988, and her transition to leadership and meditation. Signature Style Sunanda Mehta is known for her empathetic storytelling. Unlike standard news reporting, her features often read like narrative non-fiction, focusing on the psychological and emotional resilience of her subjects. One of her articles in The Indian Express titled 'The Quality of Mercy' was converted into a film Rubaru Roshini produced by actor Aamir Khan. She is a strong advocate for Pune's heritage and environment, frequently using her platform to amplify citizen-led movements. X (Twitter): @sunandamehta and @ExpressPune ... Read More