PMC Elections 2026: Deccan Residents Use Culture to Drive Voter Awareness at Kamla Nehru Park
Pune, 12th January 2026: In an innovative voter awareness initiative, the Deccan Gymkhana Parisar Samiti (DGPS), a local citizens’ group, organised a cultural outreach programme at Kamla Nehru Park on Sunday evening, January 11, 2026, highlighting the importance of informed voting and citizen participation in the upcoming civic elections.
Instead of conventional speeches, the group used music and traditional Puneri patya to convey its message, drawing the attention of passers-by and local residents. The creative format aimed to underline that every vote matters and that civic engagement is essential for better governance.
Bahar Tepan of DGPS said the demands of residents were basic but long overdue. “Our asks are simple and fundamental: a safe and secure neighbourhood, assured water supply without dependence on tankers, clean air, more trees and green spaces, protection of our tekdis with no road projects, pothole-free roads and pedestrian-friendly footpaths. Residential areas like Deccan must also be safeguarded from unplanned commercialisation without adequate infrastructure,” Tepan said.
Echoing these concerns, DGPS member Nitin Joshi stressed the need for balanced and accountable governance. “We believe development must be planned, balanced and sustainable, with the safety of citizens at its core. We want a government that delivers results, remains accountable and governs responsibly — not one driven by empty promises or short-term freebies,” he said.
The central message of the event was clear: “Voting is our voice. If we want better governance, we must step out and vote.”
More than 50 residents from the Deccan area participated in the programme, holding placards displaying civic demands written in the distinctive Puneri style. Organisers said the response reflected growing awareness among urban voters and a desire for meaningful, long-term solutions to local issues.
