The
Pune Vision 2030 : A City-Wide Dialogue marked a significant milestone in the
city’s growth journey. Held at The Ritz-Carlton, Pune, this high-impact event
featured Murlidhar Mohol, Hon. Minister of State for Cooperation & Civil
Aviation, and Chandrakant Patil, Hon. Minister of Higher & Technical
Education, Maharashtra. They were joined by 170+ industry leaders from
government, business, and the social sector to discuss the future of Pune.
Among them was CA Abhay Bhutada, founder and chairman of the Abhay Bhutada
Foundation, whose perspective on empathy-driven growth added a powerful
dimension to the dialogue.
Hosted
by the Pune Platform for Collaborative Response (PPCR), the event set the stage
for creating a collective roadmap to address the city’s challenges and
opportunities as it moves towards 2030.
Leadership and Key Dignitaries
The
event was led by Dr. Sudhir Mehta and co-led by Mr. Manoj Pochat, two figures
deeply committed to the city’s sustainable and inclusive future.
The
gathering was graced by a range of prominent dignitaries, including Murlidhar
Mohol, Hon. Minister of State for Cooperation & Civil Aviation; Chandrakant
Patil, Hon. Minister of Higher & Technical Education, Maharashtra; CA Abhay Bhutada, who’s an entrepreneur and philanthropist; Naval Kishore
Ram, Pune Municipal Commissioner; and Amitesh Kumar, Pune Commissioner of
Police.
These
leaders represented a cross-section of Pune’s key sectors and brought diverse,
yet complementary, perspectives to the dialogue.
The Dialogue: Tackling Key Urban
Challenges
The
event provided a much-needed space for candid discussions on Pune’s urban
challenges. Issues such as traffic congestion, sanitation, affordable housing,
public transport, and civic compliance were at the forefront of conversations.
Industry leaders from sectors like real estate, automotive, manufacturing, IT,
fintech, and NGOs, shared concerns and solutions.
One
of the key highlights of the evening was the open Q&A session, where the
dignitaries engaged with the audience and fielded questions about practical
solutions for these urban issues. The consensus was clear: Pune’s future will
depend on collaboration between the government, the private sector, and
citizens.
Abhay Bhutada’s Call for Empathy and
Collaboration
CA
Abhay Bhutada, the founder and chairman of the Abhay Bhutada Foundation, delivered a thought-provoking
address during the event. He emphasized that businesses should not just focus
on profit-making but also contribute to the well-being of the communities they
serve. His speech struck a chord with the audience when he said:
“In
supporting social initiatives, businesses don't just uplift communities, they
renew their own sense of purpose. Let Pune become a model city where growth is
equitable, empathy is institutionalized, and culture meets innovation. Let us
move forward, not as isolated entities, but as one ecosystem, united by values,
vision, and a deep commitment to the people of Pune.”
Abhay
Bhutada’s focus on empathy and collaboration was evident as he discussed how
business leaders have a responsibility to help address social issues such as
health, education, and sustainability. Reflecting on his own experiences, he
shared:
“In
each initiative, whether in health, education, sports, or sustainability, I’ve
witnessed something profound: when businesses care deeply, cities heal quickly.
Pune is not just growing, it’s awakening. And it’s our responsibility to ensure
that this growth is inclusive, empathetic, and enduring.”
Abhay
Bhutada concluded his address with a call for collective responsibility,
emphasizing the role of every stakeholder in shaping Pune’s growth trajectory.
A Collaborative Vision for Pune’s
Future
Pune
Vision 2030 celebrated the city’s strengths, including its growing startup
ecosystem, world-class academic institutions, and leadership in electric
mobility, healthcare, and digital governance. The event underscored Pune’s
transformative potential and the collective effort needed to realize it.
As
the evening concluded, there was a sense of optimism, with a shared
understanding that true change requires coordinated action. With leaders like
Abhay Bhutada advocating for empathy-driven growth, Pune is set to lead by
example.