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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 7:55:54 pm

Pune’s drought could dry up business

Water rationing threatens to hit the city’s wedding industry, construction sector, retail trade and livelihoods. Pune : Pune is beginning to feel the economic sting of drought. A 10 percent cut in the city’s water supply has already been implemented, and the municipal administration has indicated that the reduction could rise to 20 percent or more over the next two to three months. What appears at first to be a water-management crisis could soon become a wider economic problem, affecting...

Pune’s drought could dry up business

Water rationing threatens to hit the city’s wedding industry, construction sector, retail trade and livelihoods. Pune : Pune is beginning to feel the economic sting of drought. A 10 percent cut in the city’s water supply has already been implemented, and the municipal administration has indicated that the reduction could rise to 20 percent or more over the next two to three months. What appears at first to be a water-management crisis could soon become a wider economic problem, affecting businesses, construction activity, employment and household budgets. The Pune Municipal Corporation has begun shutting off the water supply every Thursday. Swimming pools and vehicle-washing centres have been closed, while the use of water for construction has been prohibited. The state government has directed the civic administration to ensure that the reserves in the Khadakwasla dam chain, which supplies Pune, last until August 2027. The challenge could become more acute in the months ahead. Meteorological experts have forecast a milder winter and significantly higher temperatures this year. If these predictions hold true, increased evaporation could place further pressure on the city's water reserves, potentially necessitating stricter rationing. For residents accustomed to a relatively abundant water supply, cuts of 20 percent or more would demand a substantial adjustment in daily life. Intense Pressure The economic consequences are beginning to emerge. The closure of vehicle-washing centres has deprived young people employed in low-skilled jobs of their livelihoods. Swimming-pool closures have similarly affected security guards and lifeguards. These may appear to be small, isolated losses, but they expose a larger problem: when water-intensive businesses are forced to shut down, the burden falls disproportionately on workers with few financial reserves and limited employment alternatives. The impact could spread to Pune’s lucrative wedding industry. The wedding season traditionally gathers momentum after Tulsi Vivah in the month of Kartik, generating business worth more than Rs. 200-250 crore. Pune has long attracted affluent families from outside the city who prefer its venues and facilities for wedding celebrations, partly because of its historically reliable water supply. Persistent restrictions could undermine that advantage. Wedding venues, caterers, hotels and other service providers depend on a dependable water supply to operate. If rationing becomes more severe, organisers may reconsider their choice of venue, while businesses could face higher operating costs and disruptions. An industry that generates substantial seasonal revenue also supports a network of workers and small enterprises, making the potential economic fallout wider than the immediate loss of bookings. Rural-Urban Connection Pune’s commercial fortunes are also linked to the health of the rural economy. A good agricultural harvest typically improves rural incomes, supporting spending on goods and services in urban markets. When farm earnings weaken, that spending tends to contract, affecting traders, retailers and other businesses. If rural incomes remain subdued, the city’s commercial sector could face an additional headwind at a time when water scarcity is already threatening business activity. The interaction between agricultural distress and urban water shortages could therefore deepen the economic slowdown. Construction presents another major vulnerability. Like many large cities, Pune depends heavily on real estate and infrastructure development to sustain economic activity and employment. Construction projects generate demand across a broad network of industries, from building-material suppliers and transport operators to contractors and daily-wage workers. A prolonged restriction on construction-related water use could delay projects, raise costs and disrupt work schedules. If projects stall, the effects will extend beyond developers to workers, suppliers and businesses that depend on the real estate sector. Rising Inflation For ordinary citizens, the prospect of tighter water rationing comes amid an already difficult cost-of-living situation. Food and restaurant prices have risen sharply. A cup of tea now costs more than Rs. 30, while a serving of idli-sambar can exceed Rs. 90. Even street food, traditionally an affordable option for working people, has become increasingly expensive. These prices illustrate the pressure on household budgets, particularly those of workers whose incomes have not kept pace with rising costs. If water shortages push up operating expenses for restaurants, caterers and other businesses, consumers could face further increases. The extent of any additional price rise will depend on how severe and prolonged the restrictions become. The working class is particularly exposed. Workers in vehicle-washing centres, swimming pools, construction and allied services may lose income precisely when everyday necessities are becoming more expensive. Unlike larger businesses, many such workers have little capacity to absorb a prolonged interruption in earnings. Pune’s immediate challenge is to conserve enough water to carry the city through the coming months. Yet the implications of the drought extend well beyond household taps and civic supply schedules. Trade, real estate, hospitality and seasonal businesses all depend, directly or indirectly, on the availability of water. The two sectors facing particular uncertainty are trade and real estate. The former could suffer from weaker consumer spending and disruptions to commercial activity; the latter could be affected by restrictions on construction and the risk of project delays. The consequences would be felt across employment and the wider urban economy. Pune’s residents and businesses have not had to contend with water cuts of 20 percent or more on a sustained basis. Adapting to such restrictions will be difficult, especially if temperatures rise and the drought persists.

When Celebs Praise a Project, Run for the Hills

Writer: Noorulain Sayed
Noorulain Sayed
Mar 27, 2025
4 min read

Is Adolescence an amazing web series or just an overhyped dud sold by celebrities with agendas?

There seems to be a trend in the past few years of Bollywood blatantly lying about the “perfection” and “admiration” of certain films, web series, and actors. Take, for instance, the recently released web series Adolescence, which seems to be the best thing on Netflix right now if one were to believe the likes of Anurag Kashyap and Alia Bhatt.


I’ve seen the web series, and believe me when I say this, it is a snooze fest laced with good acting. It is so boring that one has to repeatedly remind oneself to stay awake to finish its torturous (one-take) four episodes.


Celebs lying through their teeth

Let’s go back a few weeks, when the disastrous Nadaaniyan, the debut of Ibrahim Ali Khan also starring Khushi Kapoor, was released (coincidentally on Netflix). On scrolling social media, one was flooded with reels promoting the film, but a particular one stood out to me. A certain actor Archana Puran Singh (who also has a brief appearance in the film) showered praises on its lead actors. All one could do was roll their eyes because what Archana was saying contradicted what the audiences and critics were feeling. Ibrahim and Khushi gave horrendous performances. A few days later, I came across a reel where Archana is asked about the plans for her sons; guess what she says? One of her boys is becoming an actor and is currently “auditioning”. This was where I added two and two together. It made me realise that almost every time a celebrity praises a film or web series or fellow actor, there has to be some hidden work connection or future project or offer tied to that “praise”.


The sad part is they just lie through their teeth. Alia praising Adolescence out of the blue might seem to contradict what I just said. However, it may be noteworthy to know that most of her recent films, including Heart of Stone and Darlings, were released on Netflix.


Anurag, while praising the show, blasted Netflix India, even though one of his biggest successes in the last few years, Sacred Games, has been a Netflix India product. His other ventures, like, The Lunchbox, Bombay Talkies, Lust Stories, etc., are also streaming on Netflix. He feels if a subject like Adolescence were to be pitched to Netflix India, they “most probably would have rejected it or turned it into a 90-minute film”. Oh Mr Kashyap, how I wish Adolescence was indeed rejected or turned into a 90-minute film instead of the painfully slow time-waster that it is.


My Problem with Adolescence

The length: This four-episode web series could have easily been just two episodes. Not only does it drag the story, but it also does a grave injustice to the precious time of the audience.


Unanswered questions: There are certain scenes in the show where I found myself having more questions than answers. The boy swears to his father that he didn’t kill the girl. Yet during police interrogation, the father-son are shown CCTV footage of the actual crime, and we as an audience don’t get to see it. So did he kill the girl or not? Why did the female doctor evaluating him tolerate his disturbing behaviour? The list goes on and on.


One take, no thank you: The thing that is being raved about is how all four episodes were shot in one take. As an audience, it was probably the worst thing to witness. I am reminded of a one take episode shot by the team of CID way back in 2004 and even that was far more entertaining than this “perfect web series”. Not undermining the hard work put in by the team, but how long can one tolerate a still camera and just one location, especially in episode three? It boasts excellent acting but an awful screenplay and direction. No wonder the director of the show (Stephen Graham) was shocked when he came to know about the show’s popularity among Indian celebs. He knows he has made a substandard series.


Episode 4: The absolute worst part of the whole series and something that could have easily been done away with. It shows how the killer boy’s parents and sister are trying to get back to normal. I found myself wondering what on earth the makers were thinking. A teen girl has been killed, and they want us to empathise with the family of the murderer? Also, it was the most boring episode despite there being movement by the characters in a minivan.


The real entertainers: Want a solid recommendation from me that will keep you on the edge of your seat despite knowing (or not knowing) everything about the case? Grab your favourite snacks and watch American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson on Netflix. This four-part docuseries based on the 1994 double homicide of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman is an excellent one, very well directed and not boring even for one second, unlike Adolescence. It is indeed the closest thing to “perfection” on Netflix at the moment.


Netflix also has a series (set in different countries) titled Criminal. If you want to watch the perpetrators being interrogated by cops and brought to justice, this one is highly recommended.

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